About ten suspects were arrested for the killing of security operatives and attacks on police facilities at Ntak Ikot Akpan, Abama and Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim, as well as Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that the arrests were made during a series of raids on locations of criminal elements by the Joint Task Force (JTF) comprising operatives of the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Andrew Amiengheme, in his address on Thursday, shared that the security operatives recovered several items, including vehicles, arms, ammunition, as well as some cash from the arrested suspects.
In his words:
“It would be recalled that in the recent past, there had been a series of senseless and unprovoked attacks on security agencies and formations, especially the police, leading to wanton loss of lives and property. This unacceptable trend of events necessitated the formation of a Joint Task Force (JTF), comprising the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force, the DSS, and NSCDC. The operations of the Joint Task Force (JTF) have yielded a lot of successes with more still being done,” said the police commissioner.”
He said that a total of 10 suspects who are directly linked to the killings of security personnel and destruction of properties were arrested.
Amiengheme commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for the success and assured them that the police would continue to work with them to secure the state. He also encouraged the owners of the recovered vehicles to visit the 6 Battalion, Nigerian Army in the Ibagwa area with proof of ownership for identification and collection, or contact the Police Headquarter in Uyo, the state capital.
The commissioner appealed to the people to always provide timely information to the police and other security agencies in their efforts to ensure the safety of residents and their properties. And asked the people to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation and not relent in being vigilant.
