Mob in Calabar Burns Two Suspected Thieves

Two suspected thieves were set on fire along Ekpo Abasi, near Yellow Duke Street, in Calabar South Local Government Area of Cross River State. This happened after they were allegedly caught stealing a mobile phone.

Eyewitnesses told PUNCH Metro on Sunday in Calabar that the suspects snatched a phone from a resident and tried to escape.

A local resident, Bassey Etim, said an angry mob attacked and caught the suspects. He claimed they were part of a robbery gang that had been disturbing the community.

He added that the mob acted quickly and burned the suspects before security arrived, noting that both men died on the spot.

“This kind of incident is shocking. They have been terrorising this area lately. They collect people’s phones and properties. This time, they robbed students of their phones, and today luck was not on their side.

“They stole people’s phones and wanted to run away, but they were caught. The people dealt with them, and they died on the spot,” he said.

Another resident, Effanga Effanga, condemned the mob's actions. He mentioned that phone theft cases have been increasing in the area and urged security forces to help.

“There is no justification for burning anyone. No matter the crime. It is very sad to die over an ordinary phone. You end up being in the news for the wrong reasons.

“Although phone theft has become a frequent issue here, I call on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to increase their presence around Ekpo Abasi and find those criminals,” Effanga said.

The Cross River State Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the incident in a statement to journalists on Sunday in Calabar. He said early reports indicated that the two men were attacked by a mob after being suspected of robbery.

The statement said, “The Cross River State Police Command is aware of an incident involving the death of two unidentified men along Ekpo Abasi, near Yellow Duke in Calabar South LGA, in the early hours of today, 30 August 2026.”

He mentioned that the police received information about the mob action and quickly sent operatives to the scene. There, they found the two suspected robbers burned, and their bodies were taken away.

“Police operatives visited the scene, documented the incident, and started preliminary investigations to understand what happened and identify the deceased.

“The bodies have been removed from the scene with help from local government authorities for proper preservation,” ASP Eitokpah said.

The police spokesperson condemned jungle justice and urged the public to stop taking the law into their own hands. He asked people to report suspected criminals to the nearest police station for proper investigation and prosecution.

“The command urges the public to avoid jungle justice and always hand suspected offenders over to the police or other lawful authorities for investigation and prosecution.

“No one has the right to take the law into their own hands. More details will follow as the investigation continues,” the statement read.