The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has killed two armed robbers in a shootout and arrested eight others.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon said the shootout which resulted in the death of the two robbers and the arrest of three other gang members happened at Obo Annang junction in Essien Udim local government area.
Macdon mentioned that two locally made pistols, two axes, 86 live cartridges, 5 expended cartridges, charms, N9,150 cash, one Airtel SIM Card, and four big bags were recovered from the robbers.
In a press release signed and made available to newsmen in Uyo, the PPRO said five hoodlums suspected to have robbed Obo Annang Market in Essien Udim have also been arrested.
“On 25/11/2020, at about 2200hrs, a distress call was received about an ongoing armed robbery operation at Obo Annang junction in Essien Udim local government area.
“A combined team of operatives, coordinated by the Area Commander Ikot Ekpene, ACP Nasir Kankarofo, led to exchange of gun fire with the hoodlums, one Pius Ubong and Sunny (other name(s) unknown) were hit and confirmed dead after being taken to the hospital while Stephen Dominic, age 20 years, Sunday Akpan, 22 years, and Friday Emmanuel Akpan, 32 years, all male and members of the same gang were arrested.
“On the same day, the Divisional Police Officer of Essien Udim, CSP Samuel Isiek led a combined team of Tactical Squads to raid criminal hide outs around Essien Udim which led to the arrest of five hoodlums suspected to have robbed Obo Annang Market earlier in the week. They are helping the Police with further investigation.
“On 21/11/2020, at about 2215hrs, premised on a distress call from Obot Idim Junction in Ibesikpo Asutan local government area, three suspected cultists/armed robbers, one Edikan Aniekan Udo, ‘m’ of Use Offot Village in Uyo LGA, Samuel Solomon Ekong ‘m’ of Ikot Obio Atai Village in Itu LGA and one Gabriel Effiong Eyo, ‘m’ of Ikot Ide Etukudo Village in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA were arrested.
“The operation was led by the Divisional Police Officer SP Ahmadu Bello, for robbing and inflicting machete cuts on their victims who were swiftly rushed to the hospital by the Police Operatives, while two Laptop Computers, long machetes, big scissors and torch lights were recovered from the suspects,” he stated.
Macdon further said the Commissioner of Police, Amiengheme Andrew, has warned perpetrators of cultism, armed robbery and other heinous crimes to desist or leave the state as the command will do all within its power to expose them.
He assured all citizens that the Police will beef up security beef in all parts of the state especially as the yuletide season approaches.
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