Police arrest 42 electoral offences suspects in A/Ibom

The Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, has arrested 42 suspects for electoral offences during the 2019 general elections in the state.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Kaoje, who was represented by the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Odiko Macdon, said yesterday in Uyo that the 42 suspects were still under investigation.

He said the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigation was completed, and commended sister security agencies in the state for their support to ensure peace during and after the elections.

“A total of 42 persons were arrested in connection with electoral offences during the just concluded 2019 general elections in the state.

“The offences ranged from unlawful possession of firearms, unlawful possession of electoral materials, such as result sheets, political thuggery and malicious damage to electoral materials,” he said.

The CP said the command on March 1 arrested four persons for stealing one white Toyota Hilux at Akwa Savings Estate, Aka Itiam in Uyo, adding that the vehicle was recovered by the police at Ekot Okpene where it was taken to be repainted in another colour and make it easy to be told.

He stated that on March 20, seven hoodlums armed with guns and machete invaded the house of one Mr Chukwuochan Ebube of 42 Believers Street, off Idoro road in Uyo metropolis.

According to him, the suspects during the operation carted away one plasma TV, one infinix hot 6 phone, one HP laptop and N15, 000 cash.

“On receipt of the information, Itam patrol team responded and tactically trailed the hoodlums to Itam Motor Park, but on sighting the police, the hoodlums escaped, abandoning the stolen items.

“Our vigilant operatives arrested one Linus Okon Dickson in connection with the crime and recovered one locally made short gun, one cartridge, one plasma TV and one laptop. Investigation is ongoing,” he said.

One of the suspects, Wisdom Edet, the spray painter who confessed to the crime said his friend contacted him and introduced him to the driver of the owner of the Toyota Hilux van.

He said the driver said his boss sent him to spray the vehicle black and will pay N80,000.

“After our negotiation, he agreed to pay N80,000 for the job. That same day of negotiation, he paid N30,000 to my account so that I can start the job.”