Fear has gripped residents of Calabar, the Cross River State capital after some criminals escaped from police custody. 

It was gathered that the 19 armed robbers and kidnappers were cooling their heels at police headquarters, Diamond Hill in Calabar, after being arrested. 

The suspects were said to have escaped between Saturday night and Sunday morning after using a hacksaw to cut the key to the cell. 

As of press time, the station guard on night duty and some other officers on duty have been detained, but the police authorities are keeping the incident under wraps, CrossRiverWatch reports.