The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has said that it arrested a total of one hundred and forty criminal suspects in the last one month. The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Zubairu Muazu, disclosed this last Tuesday while parading some of the suspects during his maiden press briefing at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo.
Muazu added that two members of the armed robbery gang including the principal suspect that attacked government vehicle along Wellington Bassey Way Uyo three weeks ago and carted away money withdrawn from a bank were among those arrested. According to him the two robbery suspects were arrested by the operatives of Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ikot Akpan Abia, assuring that effort is in top gear to also arrest the other two still at large. He added that of N2.8 million out of N4.5 million stolen by the armed robbers has been recovered. He stated, “The 140 suspects were arrested for various offenses ranging from armed robbery to cultism and other crimes, most of whom have been charged to court while others are under investigation.
“This means that strategies put in place in ensuring that crime rate in Akwa Ibom is brought to the barest minimum are yielding results. You will recall that upon assumption of duty on July, 11, 2017 I clearly stated that I will champion a new course of policing in the state focused on the people and service oriented.
“In line with the force directives we have commenced a full implementation of community based policing in the state geared towards increasing public confidence in the police.”
The CP further explained that the combatant policemen recently drafted to flash points areas in Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo communities came after his meeting with stakeholders of the two local government areas including the Council chairmen as part of effort to tackle the lingering and worrisome insecurity threatening the areas.
