By Joseph Kingston, Calabar
Police in Cross River State has arrested a 56-year-old man described as a notorious supplier of drugs, food and arms to various kidnap syndicates in the state.
A security source who pleaded anonymity said the suspect (names withheld) was arrested at about 5.30 am of Wednesday as he was supplying the materials in various camps on land and in the creeks.
According to the security source, “He assisted kidnap syndicates to ferry their victims across water into the creeks through Nsidung beach. He supplies drugs, arms and ammunition as well as food and help them to take victims across from land to creeks through the beach.”
Orient Weekend further learnt that the suspect was part of the gang that attacked some Marine police officers few weeks ago.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Irene Ugbo, who confirmed the arrest in a telephone chat said that the police Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad, ACKS, Dragon Team, led by the Commander, SP Awodi, through intelligence, trailed and apprehended the suspect.
According to Ugbo, the police came under heavy gun fire from the notorious gang but overpowered them and arrested some while others escaped through the water with bullet wounds.
“There was no casualty on the side of the police as every officer who went for the operation is hale and hearty. We are aware that some were injured but it’s nothing serious as they are recuperating very well.
“The suspect has confessed to the crime and we are on the trail of other gang members and they will all be arrested. We are also assuring traders plying the waterways that they can go about their normal business,” she said.
The Police spokesperson also warned cult groups in the state, especially Calabar metropolis, to shelve all planned attacks as the police was ready to respond with reasonable force to deal with any threat within and outside the state capital.
“This is a warning also to all cult groups in the state especially in Calabar and other parts, we are aware of their plans to unleash mayhem.
“But I want to assure them that the police is battle ready as we will not fold out arm and watch them cause havoc or disturb the peace of the state in any form .We are also assuring law abiding citizens of protection and so they should go about their legitimate businesses without fear.”