A number of policemen, who kept guard at the headquarters of Cross River State Police Command, have been arrested and detained for feigning ignorance over the escape of at least 19 armed robbers.
The incident happened on Sunday night when the criminals reportedly used a hacksaw to cut the iron keys to their cells.
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A source at the police command headquarters, who pleaded not to be named because he was not authorised to speak, told newsmen that “the station guard and some other officers are being detained. This could not have happened with the SARS. Our lives are in danger.”
The Police spokesman, Irene Ugbo, said the police were able to re-arrest only three who attempted to escape.
Ugbo, however, said the police had dispatched crack teams across the city to track the fleeing robbers.
Meanwhile, there was an exchange of gunfire between the police and suspected kidnappers of a consultant cardiologist, Vincent Uhuegbu in Calabar before he was rescued.
Some of the kidnappers were killed in the gun duel, while others were arrested by the police.
Police spokesperson, Irene Ugbo, confirmed the gunfire exchange and the rescue of the doctor, who was kidnapped in front of his house December 9, in Calabar, as he returned from work.