Police arrest 6 over N49m theft, filling station robberies in C’River
The Police Command in Cross Rivers says its Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) has arrested six suspects in connection with alleged burglary, stealing, and robbery cases in Calabar.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Ajo Ordue, disclosed this in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, on Wednesday in Calabar.
Ordue said four of the suspects were arrested over the alleged burglary of Royaline Technologies, located at 49 Ettagbor Road, Calabar, on June 3.
The suspects were identified as Hassan Ahmad, 38; Jabiru Ibrahim, 35; Usman Garuba, 22; and Abdullalim Hassan, 23.
According to the statement, the suspects were allegedly members of a six-man gang involved in the burglary.
It said Ibrahim was traced to Kano State, where he was arrested on Sept. 2 and subsequently brought to Calabar on Sept. 3.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that 62 mobile phones of various models, accessories, speakers, earphones and cash amounting to ₦529,000 were allegedly stolen during the incident.
“The total value of the stolen property is estimated at ₦49,150,715,” he said.
The commissioner said that efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining members of the alleged gang and recover the stolen items.
In a separate operation, Ordue said that VCRU operatives on Wednesday also arrested two suspects in connection with alleged robbery incidents at filling stations around the University of Calabar area.
The suspects, identified as Samuel Udo, 29, and Ezekiel Dominic, 22, were reportedly apprehended by a mob after a distress call from a filling station.
The Police said its operatives intervened and rescued the suspects from possible jungle justice before taking them into custody.
According to him, preliminary investigation indicates the suspects allegedly posed as customers purchasing fuel before threatening attendants and fleeing with the fuel.
He said 20 litres of petrol and a blue tricycle were recovered from the suspects, while efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other persons allegedly connected with the activities.
Ordue commended the VCRU operatives for their investigative diligence, intelligence gathering and interstate coordination, particularly in tracing and arresting one of the suspects in Kano state.
He directed that both cases be thoroughly investigated and that anyone found culpable be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Commissioner also condemned jungle justice, urging members of the public to hand over suspected offenders to the Police or other lawful authorities.
He added that the command holds the principle that all suspects remained innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Ordue assured residents that intelligence-led operations against robbery, burglary and other criminal activities would be sustained across the state.
He also urged members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the Police.