Police Parade Kidnapping, Robbery Suspects in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command on Tuesday in Calabar announced that it has burst a kidnapping syndicate that has been terrorising parts of the state. The police command also stated that it succeeded in bursting an armed robbery gang that was responsible for some robbery cases in Calabar, the state capital.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Irene Ugbo, the suspected criminals were arrested that intelligence gathered by the police, and cooperation by members of the society.

The PPRO who spoke when the suspects were paraded at the state police headquarters said those arrested as kidnapping suspects were Ademola Emmanuel Babajide and  Prince Bassey Effiom, while another member of their syndicate known as Edem ‘Boy’ died as a result of injuries he sustained when they encountered the police in a gun battle.

Ugbo who spoke on behalf of the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jimoh Ozi Obeh, when the suspects were paraded, said they were arrested after the  police responded to distress calls shortly after they kidnaped one Godwin Uduma in Calabar.

The PPRO said two fleeing members of the syndicate known as Eyen Uyo and Kingsley Okon Ubong, believed to be the driver of the suspected kidnappers, were on the wanted list of the police. She said the police were on their trail and would soon apprehend them. She also disclosed that the armed robbery suspects paraded, along side the kidnapping suspects were arrested at various locations by the State Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).

The PPRO said the armed robbery suspects include Christian Donatus (aka Inyang), and Ubong Bassey Essien. She said preliminary investigation reveal that they are part of the gang that were  terrorising and robbing Monty Suit, Bebobsco, New Airport/Ekpo Abasi Road, Palm Street, Marian Road, and other locations in Calabar metropolis. The PPRO also stated that one William Tony Echeng believed to be a student of the state College of Education Awi, Akamkpa Local Government Area, was arrested for being in possession of a locally made pistol on Saturday, July 16, this year. She warned that the police would not relent in their efforts to rid the state of criminals.

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