Joe Effiong, Uyo
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State command, Mr Ibrahim Kaoje, has finally confirmed the arrest of 153 suspected thugs from Edo State who stormed the state on the invitation of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kaoje who spoke through the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, Mr Odiko MacDon, told the press on Thursday at the police headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, that the IGP Special Tactical Squad, Uyo, while on intensive patrol, in Ikot Ekpene local government, arrested the suspected thugs loaded in 11 buses and led by one Jerry Egbom.
The CP admitted that the group came from Edo State.
“They were suspected to be coming into Akwa Ibom State for the purpose of causing havoc during the March 9, 2019, gubernatorial/ state Houses of Assembly elections.
“However, a preliminary investigation into the matter by the state Criminal Investigation Department reveals that the suspects were APC youths from Edo extraction, who were on their way to the state to attend the final APC youth rally scheduled to hold on March 7, 2019.
“Investigation further revealed that an on-the-spot search was conducted on all the suspects, and nothing incriminating was found on any of them after the arrest.
“However, the command has not foreclosed further investigation into the matter to determine any likely culpability in accordance with rule of law,” the police said.
The police also confirmed the alleged shooting at the APC governorship candidate, Nsima Ekere’s campaign headquarters in Uyo where one person, Ndifreke Sunday, was injured.
He said the injured person had been taken to police clinic for treatment even as the investigation was ongoing to apprehend those responsible for the shooting.
The police boss pledged that the force would continue to be apolitical, neutral and committed to free, fair and peaceful 2019 general elections. He stressed that the command has zero tolerance for violence would not accommodate any form of thuggery.
To buttress the claim, the CP said four units of mobile policemen with a total of 248 men, two special protection units, four commissioners of an assistant inspector general of police among others had been deployed to supervise the governorship and state Assembly elections next Saturday.