Police arrest man accused of leading mob attack on suspected phone thief

Police in Nigeria’s Cross River State have arrested a 56-year-old man accused of leading a mob attack on a suspected phone thief in Calabar.

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The Cross River State Police Command has prevented an alleged mob lynching of a man accused of stealing mobile phones around Harbour Junction, Calabar, following a distress call received at about 8:30 a.m. today, 1 September 2026.

The incident occurred around 8:30 a.m. on September 1, 2026, near Harbour Junction, after police received a distress call. A patrol team arrived to find Chukwu Ebuka being attacked by a crowd. Officers intervened, rescued him and took him to an undisclosed clinic for treatment of multiple injuries.

Police identified the arrested man as Azubike Micheal. The command said he allegedly instigated the mob and encouraged others to subject Ebuka to “jungle justice.” Micheal remains in police custody as investigators examine the circumstances of the attack and the allegations against Ebuka.

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In connection with the incident, the Command arrested one Azubike Micheal, male, aged 56 years, following allegations that he instigated the mob and encouraged others to subject Chukwu Ebuka to jungle justice.

Cross River Commissioner of Police Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives, preventing crime and maintaining public order. He cautioned residents against taking the law into their own hands and urged them to hand suspected offenders to police for investigation and due process.

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Persons suspected of committing offences should be handed over to the police for investigation rather than subjected to mob violence.