By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
No fewer than 29 culprits out of 65 suspects arrested in connection with last Monday’s breakdown of law and order in Use Offot and Anua Offot villages in Uyo Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State have been remanded in Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre.
The Nigeria Police command in the state through a statement issued by its Public Relations Officer, (PPRO) SP Odiko Macdon made available to journalists at the weekend, said the 29 suspects were found culpable after the screening of the 65 suspects earlier arrested by the police.
Accordingly, SP Macdon stated the Commissioner of Police, CP Olateyo Durosinmi ordered thier prosecution, where they were sent to the Correctional Centre by the presiding judge.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, has ordered the prosecution of twenty-nine (29) Persons, suspected to be connected to the Cult Clash at Nwaniba axis of the State, after a diligent screening of the earlier arrested 65 Persons.
“The suspects were taken to court and have been remanded at the Ikot Ekpene Correctional Centre.”, The statement read.
To ensure that more persons connected the sad incident are brought to book, PPRO said that the CP has released additional Tactical resources targeted at identifying culprits who are at large, their sponsors, and has vowed to bring them to book within the shortest time possible.
The command however solicit the cooperation of the people of the state to volunteer useful information to the police in that regard.
It assured law abiding members of the public to proceed with their normal routine as the affected areas are calm and peaceful.
Recall earlier, two rivalry cult groups went on shooting spree, disturbing public peace, leading to the death of four persons as confirmed by the police, while property of innocent members of the public were lost to the gangs in Use Offot and Anua Offot axis of Uyo, the state capital.
In another development, the Commissioner of Police, has made additional deployments to Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi Local Government Areas where security breaches have been observed, emanating from communal clashes.
The CP assured that the Command won’t spare no resources in restoring normalcy, therefore, has called on those concerned to give peace a chance.
He has further called on relevant State and non-State Actors to intensify their interface in order to restore peace.
