The Cross River State Police Command, under the leadership of its new Commissioner of Police, CP Ukachi Opara, has successfully arrested six suspected Ambazonian rebels in Akamkpa Local Government Area. The arrest, made on 10th October, has drawn attention to the ongoing security challenges in the region.
At a press briefing over the weekend at the Command Headquarters, Diamond Hill, Calabar, the Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Igiri Ewa, revealed that the suspects were captured following a tip-off. “We received information and apprehended three Ambazonian fighters residing at 6 All Nations Road in Akamkpa. Upon conducting a search, several weapons were recovered,” he stated.
According to DSP Igiri, the suspects’ confessions led to the arrest of three more individuals. Those detained include four Cameroonian nationals and two Nigerians, comprising five males and one female.
Items recovered from the suspects include a significant cache of weapons and ammunition. Among the items were one GPMG Machine gun with a stand, one rifle, three G3 rifles, multiple magazines, three Makarov pistols, over a hundred rounds of ammunition, and sixteen improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
Additionally, the law enforcement recovered military paraphernalia, including Ambazonian rebel booklets and flags, desert boots, and bulletproof vests, as well as criminal charms.
The suspects have been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation and prosecution.
During the briefing, CP Ukachi Opara, who recently assumed his role as the 45th Commissioner of Police in the state, emphasised the importance of professionalism and civility among police officers when interacting with the public.
He assured residents of the state’s commitment to ensuring safety, saying, “We are working tirelessly to make sure that residents can sleep with both eyes closed.” He also urged the public to cooperate with the police by providing valuable information to aid in maintaining peace.
The arrest underscores the ongoing threat posed by separatist movements in the region, and the police remain vigilant in their efforts to neutralise any emerging threats.