By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has said that it is narrowing down the activities of men of the underworld in the state, saying, 79 suspects have been arrested within a month.
Police Commissioner, CP Olatoye Durusinmi who disclosed this while parading them at the command headquarters, Uyo on Friday, said criminal elements in the state have not shown repentance.
“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 Jan. 16, 2024 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,” Durosinmi said.
According to CP Durosinmi, the suspects were arrested for various crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism.
He said the suspects who came from neighbouring states to cause havoc in Akwa Ibom, have confessed that they were planning and monitoring to kidnap an expatriate involved in the construction work along Calabar-Itu Highway.
The Police Commissioner concluded that the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations were concluded.
He thanked the people of Akwa Ibom and solicited for cooperation and information to ensure criminal elements were arrested.
The commissioner commended other security agencies for cooperation, collaboration and support to keep Akwa Ibom safe.
