Police In Akwa Ibom Foil Christmas Robbery Plan

UYO, December 30, (THEWILL) - An attempt by a gang of suspected armed robbers to disrupt the peace of unsuspecting members of the public during the yuletide season was foiled by the operatives of the state police command at Ibono LGA of the state.

The Police commissioner, Mr. Solomon Arase who paraded the suspects before journalists, disclosed that gang members who had attempted to infiltrate the state through the Ibeno waters were nabbed by policemen through a tip off by an anonymous source.

The suspects -- Eyo Etim Okon, Effiong Sunday Emmanuel, Joshua Bassey, all males and Emem John; female, according to the police boss were arrested on Boxing Day in collaboration with community youths.

One fully loaded G3 rifle No. 120413, one locally made pistol with fifty live cartages, one 25mp Yamaha outboard engine and a bag containing substances suspected to be charms were recovered from the gang.

Police said it has also arrested one Obong Emem Essien, of Ifa Ikot Okpon, Uyo LGA, a notorious criminal who has been on the police force wanted list for many kidnap incidents. One double barrel gun with fifteen live cartages and one English Beretta pistol with 25 rounds of live ammunitions were recovered from him.

In another operation, Arase said his men raided a criminal hideout at Ekom Iman Junction, near Uyo, and some items suspected to have been stolen were recovered in the bush including; one Volvo U 40 car, with fake registration number, AA 883 AED while another registration number; FE 704 APP was written on the wind screen.

One Nissan Sunny, with registration number: AA 662 ETN, a Nissan Primera with registration number: AE 78 DUU and a Mitsubishi bus with registration numbers: CC 384 KSF, AH 190 KPR, XA 959 KEK, XB 104 SKP, HA 575 DBU but none of the gang members were detained at the time of the raid.

Arase said efforts are being intensified towards making the state crime free.