By George Odok
Calabar – The Cross River Police Command has arrested five persons suspected to be notorious armed robbers terrorising the residents of Calabar South.
Presenting the suspects to newsmen in Calabar on Thursday, ASP Irene Ugbo, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said a team of about 20 suspected armed robbers in broad daylight invaded Ephraim by White House street in Calabar South to rob shop owners.
“Not too long ago, at around 1.30 p.m., we received a distress call that a group of armed robbers was at Ephraim by White House carrying out robbery operation in that area.
“Our men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) swung into action and during the process they engaged the SARS team in a gun duel.
“From investigation, the armed robbers were about 20 in number; our men were able to arrest five of them while others fled with several bullet wounds.
“Before our men got there, concerned residents in that area had already burnt down two of the suspected armed robbers,’’ she said.
According to her, the new commissioner of police in the state, Mr Hafiz Inuwa, has zero tolerance for crime, and that any criminal caught in the act would not be spared.
“You can see the bullet wounds on their body; we will provide first aid for them to get some relief. This will help us to get more information that would lead to the arrest of those at large.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that five cartridges and four locally made pistols and charms were recovered from the suspects.
The PPRO, who thanked members of the public for their timely and useful information that led to the arrest of some members of the robbery gang, also urged them to always call the command when they came across such incidents.
