The Akwa Ibom Police Command has arrested suspected thieves and vandals in different parts of the state.
The first set of suspects numbering seven were arrested on the 23rd of June 2024. The Police said the group invaded the Ibom Tropicana Complex, broke into its warehouse, and stole some items therein.
Operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested the following suspects, Engineer Udofia Jonah, 56, Ekerette David Sunday, 30, Ukpe Aniebiet Ita, 25, Moses Ita Etim, 26, Inyene Joseph James, Ekaette I. Nkrok, 42 and Aniefiok John Friday, 27.
The Police also recovered 61 armoured doors and 42 timbers to be conveyed out of the State.
In another development, the Command based on credible intelligence and discreet investigation, Operatives arrested Ugwem Ijah Nteilie, 24, Frank Frank, 25, Morris Possible, 21 and Nura Idris, 26, for burglary and stealing Eastern Obolo General Hospital equipment.
Items recovered from the suspects include seven Air conditioner compressors, three Plasma televisions, three refrigerators, seven compressors from stolen fridges, three plasma television sets and one refrigerator.
Efforts are ongoing to recover other stolen items.
Similarly, the Command in partnership with sister Security arrested vandals responsible for the vandalism of most of the Electric Transformers and Communication Mast within Akwa Ibom and Rivers States respectively.
The suspects are one Chinedu Divine Nweke, Kingsley James, Nnanna Uchendu, Kelechi Chima, Goodluck Amasi and Ikechi Nwauju, all residents of Rivers State.
Further investigations revealed that the suspects were on the verge of vandalising another transformer at Ikot Inyang-Ator in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. A Nissan Premera vehicle, one Gasoline Oxygen and spanners were recovered from them.
The suspects confessed to the crime and admitted they were responsible for vandalizing different Transformers in Ojor village, MTN Communication Mast located at Efemibon village and Airtel Comm. Mast at Ikot Idiong Etor village.
The Police said that the suspects would be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.
Again, the Command received information that some vandals were pulling down high-tension electric cables along the Eastern Obolo Local Government Area, Operatives of the Command arrested Napiu Ibrahim,19, Melon Selitima, 22 and Abdul Abubbakar, 22.
A bag containing high-tension cables was recovered from the suspects. Suspects will have their day in court.
