Crime

Police arrests 79 suspects for murder in Akwa Ibom

Authorities in Akwa Ibom state have apprehended 79 individuals suspected of involvement in murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism.

The Commissioner of Police (CP) for Akwa Ibom state, Olatoye Durosinmi, reported in Uyo on Friday, that the greatest achievement within the month has been the arrest of 10 kidnappers allegedly planning to unleash mayhem on the State.

The police commissioner stated that officers from the Ibiono Ibom Division also seized four AK 47 rifles during their anti-crime operations in the division during that time frame.

CP Durosinmi stated that, “As we strive daily to keep the state safe, criminal elements too have continued to try to penetrate their nefarious acts. This January alone, 79 criminal elements have been arrested for various crimes.

“The greatest achievement within the last one month is the arrest of 10 confessed kidnappers, who were planning to unleash mayhem on the state and recovery of four AK Riffles.

“On Janaury 16, at about 3:45pm, operatives of Ibiono Ibom Division, relying on credible intelligence stormed Ibiaku Ikot Oku community forest, where over 15 heavily armed suspects were camping and engaged them in gun duel.

“Some of the suspects absconded with bullet wounds while four of them were arrested and one AK 47 riffle recovered. Swift follow up of operation by the Anti-Robbery Unit of the Command led to further arrest of six suspects and the recovery of three more AK 47 riffles.”

The suspects, he noted, came from neighbouring states to cause havoc in Akwa Ibom, adding that some confessed to planning and monitoring to kidnap an expatriate involved in a construction project along Calabar-Itu Highway.

He disclosed that the suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded, acknowledging the cooperation from Akwa Ibom populace who volunteer useful information to the police and sister security agencies for gainful collaboration to keep Akwa Ibom safe.

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