The police in Cross River State have arrested six suspects in separate operations over alleged robbery and burglary, including four suspects linked to the theft of property valued at about N49.15 million from a technology company in Calabar.
The arrests were made by operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit, according to a statement posted on Facebook on Wednesday by the police spokesperson in the state, Sunday Eitokpah.
Four arrested over alleged N49m robbery
The police said four suspects were arrested in connection with the 3 June burglary at Royaline Technologies on Etta-Agbor Road, Calabar.
Mr Eitokpah identified the suspects as Hassan Ahmad, 38; Jabiru Ibrahim, 35; Usman Isa Garuba, 22; and Abdullalim Hassan, 23.
According to the statement, Mr Ibrahim was traced to Kano State and arrested on 2 September before being brought to Calabar the following day.
The police said investigations indicate that the suspects were allegedly part of a six-man gang that stole 62 mobile phones, accessories, speakers, earphones and N529,000 cash.
“The total value of the stolen items was estimated at N49,150,715,” the police said.
The police said they were working to arrest the remaining two suspects and recover the stolen property.
Two arrested over alleged filling-station robberies
The police also arrested two men, Samuel Udo Udo, 29, and Ezekiel Dominic, 22, following an incident at a filling station around the University of Calabar on 9 September.
The police said an angry mob had apprehended the suspects, and they were at risk of being lynched when operatives arrived, rescued them, and took them into custody.
“Preliminary investigation indicated that the suspects allegedly posed as customers buying fuel before threatening attendants and fleeing with the fuel.”
Police recovered 20 litres of petrol and a blue tricycle and said efforts were underway to identify other persons allegedly connected with the activities.
Police sustain intelligence-led operations
The latest arrests form part of heightened police operations against violent crime in the state, and less than a week after the police launched an investigation into the death of two men allegedly attacked by a mob.
READ ALSO: Police arrest suspected ‘serial burglar,’ recover ₦21 million photographic equipment
Mr Eitokpah said Cross River Commissioner of Police Ajo Ordue commended the operatives for their investigative work, intelligence gathering and interstate coordination.
The commissioner directed that the cases be thoroughly investigated and that anyone found culpable be prosecuted.
The command reiterated that all suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
It also urged residents to continue providing timely information to the police and warned against jungle justice.
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