Tragedy at Calabar Mall: Five Suspects Apprehended by Police with Stolen Property Amid Massive Inferno
Reported by facthabournews
Tragedy at Calabar Mall: Five Suspects Apprehended by Police with Stolen Property Amid Massive Inferno
CALABAR, NIGERIA — Officers from the Cross River State Police Command have arrested five individuals caught attempting to loot goods during a devastating fire that destroyed substantial portions of the iconic SPAR shopping complex, popularly known as the Calabar Mall.
The fire broke out in the early morning hours, rapidly spreading across major commercial spaces within the complex. Affected sections include high-end retail Outlets, a prominent pharmacy, clothing boutiques, electronics shops, and perfumeries. While business owners and emergency responders worked frantically to salvage inventory and battle the blaze, opportunistic individuals sought to exploit the chaos.
Police Intervene to Halt Looting Operations
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) for the Cross River State Command, SP Sunday Eitokpah, confirmed the arrest of five suspects caught in possession of stolen items on the mall premises. The arrested individuals have been officially identified as Victor Daniel, Gideon Asuquo, Okafor Michael, Ochi Joseph, and Veronica Ebi.
Speaking on the swift law enforcement response, the police spokesperson emphasized that proactive security cordons were immediately established around the perimeter to prevent bad actors from worsening the loss suffered by store operators.
“Five suspects have been arrested with stolen items within the premises in connection with inferno incidents at the SPAR shopping mall, Calabar,” stated SP Eitokpah. “Security personnel were deployed early to secure the area, protect lives, and stop looters from carting away property belonging to victims of the disaster.”
While law enforcement authorities have not publicly listed the specific inventory recovered from the suspects, officials confirmed that investigations remain ongoing and those in custody will face appropriate prosecution under the law.
Preliminary Investigations Point to Electrical Fault
Emerging details from preliminary assessments indicate that the inferno likely originated from an internal electrical malfunction. Thick plumes of smoke filled the skyline over the central commercial district as first responders rushed to contain the situation.
Firefighters deployed to the scene faced serious operational challenges, as the mall’s internal fire hydrant system was reportedly overwhelmed by the intensity of the blaze. Despite resource constraints, emergency crews managed to isolate the fire, preventing complete structural collapse and ensuring that no human casualties or loss of life were recorded in the incident.
Impact on Local Commerce and Business Owners
The loss represents a serious economic blow to Calabar’s formal retail sector. The SPAR shopping complex serves as a critical commercial hub in Cross River State, hosting dozens of independent vendors and international brand franchises.
Business owners watched helplessly as inventory worth millions of naira was consumed by flames or damaged by smoke and water. Local commerce advocacy groups have expressed solidarity with the affected merchants, urging state authorities and financial institutions to provide emergency support measures to help affected store operators rebuild.
State security forces remain stationed at the location to preserve the scene for forensic investigators and prevent further unauthorized access while structural engineers assess the safety of the remaining building framework.
