By Akanimo Kufre (The New Diplomat’s A/Ibom|C/River Correspondent)
Operatives of Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Friday reportedly killed six alleged members of an armed robbery gang during a gun battle along Calabar – Itu highway.
The gang whose specialty is car snatching in Akwa Ibom and Cross River States, respectively were operating along Calabar-Itu Expressway early hours of the day when the Police team of operatives swooped on them .
According to the Police Commissioner in Akwa Ibom State, CP Amiengheme Andrew, SARS Operatives acting on intelligence proceeded to the scene and on sighting the Police Hilux, the hoodlums opened fire on the operatives.
During the gun battle, six armed robbers reportedly sustained gunshot wounds. They were taken to Police Hospital, Uyo for treatment but were later confirmed dead by the doctor on duty.
Exhibits reportedly recovered from the over-powered armed gang were three locally made pistols, ten live cartridges, four expended cartridges, one pump action gun, one unregistered motorcycle, military camouflage cap and a Toyota Camry with Reg. No. LSR 690 BM. The vehicle in question was allegedly snatched from a victim, one Dr. Arinze Obinna a Physiotherapist at the General Hospital Calabar, Cross River State. CP Andrew warned that he will not relent in his efforts to champion a new course of policing in the state.
He said: “In line with the Force directives, under the leadership of IGP Mohammed A. Adamu MNI, on policing that is focused on the people and is service oriented, a policing that is human right driven, intelligence-led, community based and problem solving. The security architecture of the state was clearly studied and repositioned for effective service delivery. Let me use this medium to warn hoodlums who are engaged in cultism, armed robbery, rape and other vices to desist forthwith or leave the state as the command under my watch has no room to accommodate any form of crime and criminality.”
The Calabar-Itu highway for decades has been relatively peaceful without robbery incidence but reports of violent crime seemed to be on the rise recently due to failed portions of the road.
A quarry truck driver, Ubong Effanga said few months ago that he was robbed at the tail end of the bridge on the Cross River axis by hoodlums who wielded guns, knives and other dangerous weapons.
However, the Itu local government chairman, Hon Etetim Onuk has praised the efforts of the gallant policemen and call on the federal government to fix the deplorable road in the region that produce bulk of Nigeria’s revenue.
“Thank God for the gallantry act of the policemen, that shows that our policemen given the opportunity and the necessary equipment they can do the needful, am much impressed. I passed that road on Sunday to Calabar and honestly I regretted putting my car there. I told my host if I had known the road was that bad I wouldn’t have” come.
“It’s a national embarrassment and a disgrace. I call this contract scam! They will tell us they have given contract for the dualization of the road and we end up seeing nothing. Don’t forget Akwa Ibom and Cross River are oil producing states, don’t forget South-south is the economic base of this country.” Onuk said.
