The Cross River State Police Command has paraded 34 suspects for various crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, burglary, child trafficking and vandalism.
The Commissioner of Police, Sikiru Akande, who paraded the suspects at the Police Command Headquarters in Calabar, on Tuesday, said they were arrested in March.
Among those paraded were members of a seven-man robbery gang said to be terrorising residents of Ikot Effangha, Army Junction and 8 Miles.
Also paraded were Godwin Emmanuel and Bassey Asuquo, who were linked to the kidnap of a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Dominic Edem, whom the police said they were making efforts to secure his release.
Two suspects arrested for child trafficking were also paraded. They are Owan John and Kufre Akpan.
They were arrested on Webber Street, Calabar, for allegedly buying a 10-day-old baby for N150,000.
Suspected robbers arrested on the campus of the University of Calabar are John Ushie, Nsikak Akpan and Uche Egbe.
A gang of five, known as Italian Mafias, were also paraded for alleged arson, robbery and rape at Ifiang King Duke, Akpabuyo Local Government Area of the state.
“They unlawfully carried out illegal attacks on residents of the area. The said persons set 18 houses ablaze, robbed indigenes of their valuables and victimised female victims through rape,” Akande alleged.
The suspects are Etim Ekpenyong, Effiom Asuquo, Edem Effiong, Anthony Timothy and Umoh Effiom.
Two suspected cultists, Charles Emmanuel and Cyril Emmanuel, were also paraded.
Guns, ammunition and other items were recovered from the suspects.
While parading the suspects, Akande said, “I want to reiterate that part of the command’s challenge in dealing with criminal elements is people’s reluctance to give out useful information.
“I crave the indulgence of the general public that information is key to solving security issues in any society. Everyone should see themselves as stakeholders in the security business.” (Punch)
