Police kill two suspected armed robbers in shootout

Akpan Umoh 

The Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command has killed two armed robbers in a shootout and arrested three persons suspected to be members of the robbery gang in the state. 

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, SP Odiko Macdon, said this in a press statement in Uyo on Friday. 

According to Macdon, two of the armed robbers met their waterloo on November 25, when they went on robbery operations at Obo Annang Junction in Essien Udim. 

MacDon added that the armed robbers who saw the police who were responding to distress calls, opened fire at them, which resulted in a gun battle that led to the killing of the robbers. 

He said the operation was led by the Area Commander, Ikot Ekpene, ACP Nasir Kankarofo. 

“On November 25, 2020, at about 2200hrs, a distress call was received about an ongoing armed robbery operation at Obo Annang Junction in Essien Udim Local Government Area.  

“A combined team of operatives, coordinated by the Area Commander Ikot Ekpene, ACP Nasir Kankarofo, led to exchange of gunfire with the hoodlums; one Pius Ubong and Sunny (other names unknown) were hit and confirmed dead after being taken to the hospital. 

“While Stephen Dominic, aged 20, Sunday Akpan, 22 years, and Friday Emmanuel Akpan, 32 years, all-male and members of the same gang were arrested,” Macdon said. 

He said the following items were recovered from the robbery gang; two locally made pistols, two axes, 86 live cartridges, 5 expended cartridges, charms, the swum of N9,150.00 cash, one Airtel SIM Card and four big bags. 

Macdon said on Nov.25 also, the Divisional Police Officer of Essien Udim, CSP Samuel Isiek, led a combined team of Tactical Squads to raid criminal hideouts around Essien Udim, which led to the arrest of five hoodlums suspected to have robbed Obo Annang Market earlier in the week.  

He added that on Nov. 21, at about 2215hrs, the command acting on a distress call from Obot Idim Junction in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, also arrested three suspected cultists and armed robbers. 

He said that the three robbed and inflicted machete cuts on their victims who were swiftly rushed to the hospital by the police operatives, while two Laptop Computers, long machetes, big scissors, and torch lights were recovered from the suspects.  

Macdon said that the Commissioner of Police, CP Andrew Amiengheme, has warned perpetrators of cultism, armed robbery, and other heinous crimes to desist forthwith or leave the state as the command would leave no stone unturned in fishing them out. 

He said the CP has assured Akwa Ibom people of adequate security beef up in all parts of the state, especially as we approach the yuletide season.