Police arrest 150 suspected armed robbers, kidnappers in eight months

The Cross River Police command on Monday announced the arrest of 150 suspected kidnappers, armed robbers and other offenders from January to August 2015.

Mr Henry Fadairo, the Commissioner of Police in the state told newsmen in Calabar that the arrest was made possible by cooperation the command received from the general public.

He also attributed it to the to the renewed clampdown on criminals by the police across the state.

“Since the present clampdown on criminals in the state, about 150 suspects have been arrested engaging in various criminal activities.

“This clampdown had yielded positive results as most notorious areas in the state now have peace.

“We will sustain this effort in making sure that Crossriverians, business men, tourists and others go about their normal businesses without fear of insecurity’’, Fadairo said.

According to him, the suspects will be prosecuted as soon as courts in the state resume sitting.

He therefore appealed to the state government and the judiciary workers to end the ongoing strike which had left the courts closed for long.

“I wish to appeal to the state government and the judiciary workers in the state to dialogue and resolve to end the ongoing strike.

“We have too many suspected criminals in our cells awaiting trial.

“We are supposed to charge them to court for trial, but the court rooms are under lock and key because of the strike’’, he lamented.

The commissioner decried the high rate of youths involvement in crime and urged parents to monitor the activities of their wards and guide them properly.

He assured members of the public of their safety and solicited for more useful information that would assist the police to discharge their duties more effectively.