Authorities apprehend 60-year-old alleged firearms trafficker in Cross River

A 60-year-old suspected gun runner, Okon William, has been apprehended by operatives of the Cross River State Police Command, who also recovered two locally fabricated long guns from him in Ubanbat Community, Odukpani Local Government Area.

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The arrest took place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at about 5pm, following credible intelligence on William's alleged involvement in the illicit trafficking of firearms.

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This development was disclosed in a statement issued on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Subday Eitokpah, which was made available to Vanguard.

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The arrest is part of the Cross River State Police Command's ongoing efforts to rid the state of illegal firearms and associated criminal activities, with the Command's Anti-Kidnapping Unit operatives acting swiftly on the tip-off that led to William's arrest.

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A thorough search of the suspect led to the recovery of the two concealed locally made firearms, which were found on him at the time of his arrest.

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Preliminary investigation has revealed that William had been involved in arms trafficking and employed covert methods to evade detection, but he has reportedly provided useful information to investigators.

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This information is now helping to unravel a wider network of illegal arms fabrication and distribution in the area, according to ASP Subday Eitokpah.

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William is currently in police custody and will be arraigned in court as soon as the investigation is concluded, with the Command's effort being intensified to track down other members of the criminal syndicate.

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The Cross River State Police Command is also working to recover more illegal arms, and is urging residents to continue providing timely and credible information to the police through the Command's emergency lines: 07041777060 and 07053355415.