The Police in Akwa Ibom have arrested 79 suspects for various offences since Jan.1.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olatoye Durosinmi, said this at a news conference at Police Headquarters on Friday in Uyo.
Mr Durosinmi said the suspects were arrested for various crimes, including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism.
According to him, the greatest achievement within the month was the arrest of 10 kidnappers who were planning to unleash mayhem on residents of the state.
The police commissioner added that the operatives of Ibiono Ibom Division recovered four AK 47 rifles during the operation in which the kidnappers were arrested.
“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 month is the arrest of 10 confessed kidnappers, who were planning to unleash mayhem on the state and the recovery of four AK rifles.
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“On Jan. 16, 2024, at about 3:45 p.m., operatives of Ibiono Ibom Division, relying on credible intelligence, stormed Ibiaku Ikot Oku forest, where over 15 heavily armed suspects were camping, and engaged them in a gun duel.
“Some of the suspects escaped with bullet wounds, while four of them were arrested and one AK 47 rifle 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,” Mr Durosinmi said.
The CP said that the suspects came from neighbouring states to cause havoc in Akwa Ibom.
Mr Durosinmi added that the suspects confessed that they were planning the kidnap of an expatriate involved in the construction work along the Calabar-Itu Highway before they were arrested.
The commissioner added that the suspects would be charged to court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
He thanked residents for their cooperation and urged them to volunteer information that could lead to the arrest of criminal elements in the state.
The commissioner commended other security agencies for cooperation, collaboration and support in keeping Akwa Ibom safe.
