The state police command claimed that the breakthrough was a result of new strategies it has introduced to fight violent crimes and dominate the security space in the state.
It says the new measures have led to the arrest and smashing of many armed robbery syndicates as well as rescuing of kidnap victims.
Umar Gwadebe, the new commissioner of police in the state who took over from Solomon Arase who had been promoted Assistant Inspector General of Police, briefing journalists, said within the last four weeks, the command has recorded breakthroughs culminating in the arrest of the dismissed soldier, at Nung Ikot Obiodo in Oruk Anam Local Government Area recovering one AK47 riffle with No 56-2400207, two magazines and 19 rounds of live ammunition.
Gwadabe said the dismissed soldier was arrested with the support of community youths who provided the intelligence that led to the ‘breakthrough.’
He said police operatives at Eket arrested one Benjamin Edoho of Ikot Oso Eket who attempted to rob one Aniefiok Edet of Okon-Eket, adding that the suspect was nabbed at the scene of robbery with one locally made pistol, one expended and one live cartridge.
According to the police commissioner, a total of eight suspected armed robbers/kidnappers had been arrested with various arms and ammunitions recovered.
Specifically, on Monday, April 9, Anthony Emmanuel George from Ikot Mbang and Udeme Okon of Mbiambam Ibiono, all of Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area who had been on the run for “many violent crimes were arrested by police operatives with one single barrel locally made pistol with one live cartridge, two Nokia handsets, a sack containing weeds suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from the suspects.” He said all the suspects would be charged to court at the end of investigation.
“In spite of these achievements, our determined commitment to protecting life and property in the command remains unflagging. We will ensure that Akwa Ibom State is made extremely hot and uncomfortable for all criminals and mischief makers,’’ he said.
He called on the people to see security issues as a collective responsibility appealing for prompt report of all suspicious/strange acts and persons to the police and other security agencies adding, that “partnership with the police will engender a crime-free society.’’
