The Akwa Ibom State Police command on Sunday said it recovered arms and ammunition allegedly from suspected agents of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, during an intensive Patrol operation.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John and made available to newsmen on Sunday.
According to the statement the incident happened on Thursday August, 29, 2024 along Stadium Road in Abiakpo Edem Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area.
The items recovered in the abandoned vehicle were one AK 47 rifle loaded with 8 No of 8MM ammunition; one locally made long range pistol, one cartridge, 4 different vehicle number plates, Zenith and Access Banks ATM Cards, National Drivers’ License card, black coloured clothes, bags containing substances suspected to be indian hemp and a torchlight.
The statement noted that ,however, no arrest was made by the police operatives during the intensive patrol, as two to young men on sighting the Police and abandoned their Lexus Jeep and escaped into the bush.
This is even as the statement did not identify among the recovered items something linking the fleeing suspects to IPOB.
It reads, “In its quest to purge the State of crimes and criminal elements, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Thursday , August, 29, 2024 recovered arms and ammunition from suspected IPOB agents during an intensive Patrol operation.
“The recovery was made by the Command’s operatives who were on intensive patrol along Stadium Road in Abiakpo Edem Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area upon intelligence information that IPOB were planning to launch an attack on the State and her facilities.
“During the patrol, the Team flagged down a Lexus Jeep with Registration Number KUJ 886 FF. On sighting the police, two unidentified young men came down from the jeep and took to their heels into the nearby forest.
“While searching the Vehicle, the team recovered one AK 47 rifle loaded with 8 No of 8MM ammunition; one locally made long range pistol, one cartridge, 4 different vehicle number plates, Zenith and Access Banks ATM Cards, National Drivers’ License card, black coloured clothes, bags containing substances suspected to be indian hemp and a torchlight.
“The team, with the assistance of the village youth combed the forest in search of the fleeing suspects. But no arrest has been made this far. The team is not resting on it’s para as it is determined to fetch the suspects and whoever is their sponsors and accomplices.
“The Command appeals to residents of the community and State to be vigilant and report suspicious and unknown movements to the Police for outright action”, the statement noted. (Vanguard)