Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi has said that the command has arrested a total of 79 suspects in the state for various offences in January 2024.
The state police boss stated this at a news conference at Police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, on Friday.
He said the operatives of the command arrested the suspects for various crimes ranging from murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism.
According to him, the greatest achievement within the month of January was the arrest of 10 kidnappers, who were planning to unleash mayhem on the state.
The police commissioner added the operatives of Ibiono Ibom division recovered four AK 47 rifles during the operations.
“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 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 3:45 pm, 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 a 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.
The commissioner of police said that the suspects came from neighbouring states to cause havoc in Akwa Ibom.
Durosinmi added that the suspects confessed that they were planning and monitoring to kidnap of an expatriate involved in the construction work along the Calabar-Itu Highway.
The commissioner added the suspects will be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.
He thanked the good people of Akwa Ibom and solicited 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.
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