The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has killed six armed robbers who specialised in snatching and selling cars across Akwa Ibom and Cross River States.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Amiengheme Andrew on Friday in Uyo while parading the dead robbers and other suspects said that the victims died during a shoot out with the police along Calabar-Itu Highway.
He stated that the dead robbers were on their way to Abia state to sell off the stolen Toyota Camry they had snatched from a Calabar based Medical Doctor when they met a patrol team of the State Police Command.
The CP who resumed duties a fortnight ago said the deceased had already contacted a buyer for the stolen vehicle.
He further revealed that the Police also arrested a serial rapist and blackmailer, a murder suspect alleged to have murdered his 11-year-old stepson, five cultists and six armed robbery suspects.
“Today, at about 5.30 am, acting on credible intelligence that a six-man armed robbery gang whose speciality is car snatching in Akwa Ibom and Cross River were operating along Calabar-Itu expressway.
“On receipt of the intel, SARS operatives proceeded to the scene, on sighting the Police Hilux the hoodlums opened fire on the operatives. A gun battle ensued and the six-armed robbers sustained gun wounds.
“They were taken to the Police hospital in Uyo for treatment but they were confirmed dead by the Doctor. Exhibits recovered were three locally made pistols, ten life cartridges, four expended cartridges, one pump action gun, one unregistered motorcycle, military camouflage cap and a Toyota Camry snatched from the victim, Dr Arinze Obinna, a physiotherapist at the General Hospital, Calabar,” he stated.
The CP warned hoodlums 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.”
He appreciated the State Government and people of Akwa Ibom for supporting the police in the discharge of its duties.
Dr Arinze Obinna, the owner of the stolen vehicle said in an interaction with newsmen that the car was stolen at gunpoint from him while he was returning home with his family.
