The Cross River State Police Command will on Friday arraign four suspects for allegedly assaulting a police officer, tearing his uniform and forcibly taking his rifle and motorcycle at the popular Watt Market in Calabar.

The suspects to be charged are Emem Asuquo, 40; Aniema Nelson, 40; Idara Bassey Sunday, 28; and Mercy Edet, 44.

This is coming after the police initially arrested 60 persons in connection with the attack but narrowed the screening to the four following intelligence and identification by the assaulted officer.

The incident, which was captured in a viral video circulating on social media, had claimed that market women held a police officer following a chase involving a suspected internet fraudster during which a trader’s goods were scattered.

But the Police Command has debunked the narrative, describing it as misleading.

In a statement issued on September 16, 2026, by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the Command gave a detailed account.

According to the statement, on September 15 at about 3:30 pm, a concerned member of the public alerted the police that an officer was being attacked around Goldie by Etim Edem Lane, near Watt Market. A patrol team from Atakpa Division was immediately mobilized and rescued the constable.

In his account, the officer said while proceeding from his office through Goldie by Bedwell Junction to join his team members, he attempted to impound a motorcycle which had earlier stepped on his leg while he was on duty on September 11, after which the rider escaped.

He said when he attempted to apprehend the same rider again on September 15, he was confronted and attacked by some roadside traders who aided the rider.

The officer alleged that his riot gun was tampered with, his police uniform and shoes were torn, his Samsung X10 phone was seized, while pepper and egg were poured on his face and body. His attackers also forcibly took the motorcycle from him, enabling the rider to escape.

He told investigators he could identify some of those involved.

Following the report, the Commissioner of Police, *CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue,* directed urgent intelligence gathering and arrest of all culpable persons.

Consequently, on September 16 at about 10:45 am, patrol and surveillance teams at Atakpa Division were reinforced by operatives of the *Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU)*, leading to the arrest of 60 suspects in the area for screening and interrogation.

After screening, four women were identified as directly linked to the assault.

The Command said normalcy has been restored at Watt Market while security monitoring continues, adding that it appreciates the member of the public whose timely alert led to the rescue of the officer.

“The Command urges members of the public to rely on verified information and avoid drawing conclusions from incomplete or misleading narratives circulating online. The Police remain committed to protecting lives and property and will not tolerate attacks on police officers or any other person,” the statement said.