The suspects.
By Anietie Akpan
The Cross River State Police Command, in its continued commitment to proactive crime fighting and effective policing, has apprehended two suspects for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition in Ogoja Local Government Area of the State.
In a release dated Friday, January 30, signed by Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Cross River State Police Command, ASP Eitokpah Sunday for the State Commissioner of Police, said the suspects were “arrested at Ogbege Abakpa, Ogoja, during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted by a patrol team from Ogoja Division”.
The suspects, Police said were riding on a lady motorcycle and were observed parading the area suspiciously at about 0900hrs.
Upon sighting the Police patrol team, the suspects refused to stop when flagged down and attempted to escape, leading to a hot chase before they were eventually apprehended, Police stated.
The release further said, “a search conducted on one of the suspects, Thomas Anthony (male), aged 26 years, led to the recovery of one English-made Beretta pistol loaded with nine rounds of live ammunition.
“The suspects were subsequently arrested and are currently in Police custody for further investigation”.
During interrogation, Police said, “the principal suspect, Thomas Anthony, confessed that he unlawfully inherited the firearm from his late elder brother”.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Rashid B. Afegbua, has commended the patrol team for their vigilance and professionalism and urged them to continue discharging their duties diligently in order to keep the State safe.
