Security forces in Akwa Ibom have carried out raids across the state, particularly in Essien Udim local govern)ment area and its environs, in an operation against criminal elements.
The series of coordinated raids were undertaken by a joint task force comprising the army, the police, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC.
It resulted in the arrest of 10 persons said to be directly linked to recent killings of police officers in the State.
Commissioner of Police in the state Mr Andrew Amiengheme said on June 1 that officers also recovered different types of items including vehicles, rifles and ammunition, cash, police uniforms, computers, phones, and SIM cards.
It would be recalled that in the recent past, there had been series of attacks on security agencies and formations leading to loss of lives and property.
At least 23 police officers were killed.
This necessitated the formation of a Joint Task Force (JTF), whose operations have yielded a lot of successes, according to CP Amiengheme.
The police commissioner said the raids took place at Ntak Ikot Akpan, Abama and Ikot Akpan in Essien Udim, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene local government areas by the Joint Task Force.
He said the following items were recovered at different locations:
- One (1) grey coloured Toyota Hilux with Reg. No. ENU 762 YJ
- One (1) white and ash coloured Mitsubishi bus with Reg. No. XE 276 ABA
- One (1) white coloured Sino Truck with Reg. No. SSM 505 ZR
- One (1) blue Toyota Corolla with Reg. No. GWA 955 BF
- Four (4) motorcycles
- Four (4) AK 47 Rifles
- Four (4) G3 rifles
- Eight(8) Dane Guns
- Three (3) Riot Guns
- Twenty-eight (28) AK-47 magazines
- Two (2) G3 magazines
- Six hundred and fifty-four (654) rounds of ammunition
- Ten (10) cartridges
- Ninety-six (96) Smoke cartridges
- One (1) Smoke Grenade
- Twenty-one (21) teargas bombs
- Thirty-nine (39) Hand Grenade Anti-Riot irritants
- Seven (7) smoke respirators
- Six (6) Rioters shield
- Five (5) Bullet Proof Plates
- Three (3) Handcuffs
- Two (2) Leg Chains
- Seven (7) Cutlasses
- One (1) axe
- Police ID card
- Two (2) Police batons
- Ten (10) Police Beckets
- Seven (7) Police belts
- One (1) pair of woman Police uniform
- One (1) fragmental jacket
- Sixteen (16) combat boots
- One (1) twine rope
- One (1) Motorola walkie talkie
- Fifteen (15) GSM phones
- Sixteen (16) Combat Boots
- Four (4) torchlight
- Thirty seven (37) clothe materials
- Two (2) number plates
- Two (2) Generating sets
- One (1) Saw machine
- Bank Cheques/Teller/SIM cards
- Four (4) Public Address System
- Two (2) Desktop CPU
- One (1) Printer
- Two (2) Scanning machines
- Two (2) Desktop Monitors
- One (1) UPS
- Two (2) Mouse and two (2) Keyboards.
- Sixty (60) office staplers
- Two (2) 16 Inch LG television set
- Assorted types Chargers/Extension Wires
- One (1) LG DVD player
- Assorted Jewelries
- One (1) Car Battery
- One (1) First Aid Box,
- Assorted Drugs,
- Seven (7) Wire Cutters,
- Three (3) Shovels,
- Six (6) sets of cooking utensils
- Six (6) metal buckets
- One (1) umbrella
- The sum of sixty-three thousand, three hundred and thirty naira (N63,330.00)
Amiengheme stated that the owners of the above-mentioned vehicles are to go to 6 Battalion, Nigerian Army, Ibagwa with proof of ownership for identification and collection or contact the State Police Headquarter, Uyo.
“Let me sincerely appreciate the immense contribution of the Nigerian Army and other sister Security Agencies.
“We will continue to work as a team in securing Akwa Ibom State. I urge Akwa Ibomites to go about their lawful duties without fear of molestation and never relent in being vigilant and giving timely information to the Police and other security agencies.
“Our warm gratitude is also to the Government and good people of Akwa Ibom State,” he added.
