The police In Akwa Ibom State, have nabbed 79 individuals on charges related to murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, and involvement in cult activities.
In a January operational report delivered in Uyo on Friday, the Commissioner of Police (CP) for the state, Olatoye Durosinmi, highlighted the significant accomplishment of apprehending 10 alleged kidnappers who were reportedly plotting to cause havoc in the state.
Additionally, the police commissioner mentioned that anti-crime operations conducted by the Ibiono Ibom Division resulted in the recovery of four AK-47 rifles during the same period.
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.”
He pointed out that the suspects, originating from neighboring states, intended to create chaos in Akwa Ibom. Some of them admitted to planning and surveilling the kidnapping of an expatriate engaged in a construction project along the Calabar-Itu Highway.
He revealed that once the investigations are complete, the suspects will be taken to court. He acknowledged the cooperation of the Akwa Ibom populace, commending their voluntary provision of valuable information to the police and other security agencies, fostering effective collaboration to maintain the safety of Akwa Ibom.