Two suspected armed robbers gunned down, 8 others arrested in Akwa Ibom (Photos)

Two suspected armed robbers were gunned down during a shoot out with the police in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.

Spokesperson of the State Police Command, SP Odiko MacDon, who confirmed the development in a statement on Friday, November 27, said that a distress call was received about an ongoing armed robbery operation at Obo Annang Junction in Essien Udim on November 25.

“A combined team of operatives, coordinated by the Area Commander Ikot Ekpene, ACP Nasir Kankarofo, led to exchange of gun fire with the hoodlums, one Pius Ubong and Sunny (other name(s) unknown) were hit and confirmed dead after being taken to the hospital while Stephen Dominic, age 20 years, Sunday Akpan, 22 years, and Friday Emmanuel Akpan, 32 years, all male and members of the same gang were arrested,’ the statement says.

Items recovered from the suspects include two locally made pistols, two axes, 86 live cartridges, 5 expended cartridges, charms, he sum of N9,150.00 cash, one Airtel SIM card, and four big bags.

In a related development, on the same day, the Divisional Police Officer of Essien Udim, CSP Samuel Isiek led a combined team of Tactical Squads to raid criminal hide outs around Essien Udim which led to the arrest of five hoodlums suspected to have robbed Obo Annang Market earlier in the week. They are helping the Police with further investigation.

“Similarly, on November 21, premised on a distress call from Obot Idim Junction in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, three (3) suspected cultists / Armed robbers, one Edikan Aniekan Udo, ‘m’ of Use Offot Village in Uyo LGA, Samuel Solomon Ekong ‘m’ of Ikot Obio Atai Village in Itu LGA and one Gabriel Effiong Eyo, ‘m’ of Ikot Ide Etukudo Village in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA were arrested in an operation led by the Divisional Police Officer SP Ahmadu Bello, for robbing and inflicting machete cuts on their victims who were swiftly rushed to the hospital by the Police operatives,”

Two Laptop computers, long machetes, big scissors and torch lights were recovered from the suspects.