By Joseph Kingston, Calabar
The Cross River state police command has paraded a woman, Mrs Martina Eneji, suspected to have stolen a Toyota Camry car with registration number, UDU 333 AA, allegedly in connivance with one Mohammed Sani.
Parading the suspects in Calabar, Tuesday, the Cross River State commissioner of police, Sikiru Akande, said the woman and her suspected accomplice were intercepted on Monday July 26 by the command’s patrol team, Operation Puff Adder.
According to Akande, the said stolen vehicle, ash in colour, was stolen in the month of November 2020 in Charles Luanga Catholic Church, Essien Town Calabar.
He said “On July 26, 2021 at about 8.10pm the patrol team of Operation Puff Adder while on routine patrol intercepted two occupants of a Toyota Camry owned by Agladima Akwagiora that was stolen in November 2020.
“The suspects who are one Mrs Martina Eneji and Mohammed Sani allegedly stole the car from St. Luanga Catholic Church in Essien Town.
“Investigation is ongoing to establish the level of their involvement and apprehend their cohorts.”
The CP commended Gov. Ben Ayade for supporting the police in the state, saying that 41 suspects were arrested within the last six months.
Sikiru said items recovered from the other suspects included five locally made pistols, two locally made riffles, five machetes, 11 cartridges, raps of illicit drugs and other items.
However, in an interview, the suspect denied stealing the said vehicles, explaining that it was her son who bought the car from someone and that he (the son) did not know that the car was stolen.
When asked on the whereabouts of her son, Eneji said he travelled to the village for a burial and would be back to explain himself.
“I plead with the police to release me and let me go since the owner of the car has seen his car and let us settle amicably,” she pleaded.