An abandoned structure on Parliamentary Road in Calabar municipality serving as a hideout for criminals has been uncovered by the Nigerian Army, through its Operation Akpakwu.
Speaking with newsmen on Monday, Major S. N. Ikpeme said the discovery followed the trail of eight suspects, who had allegedly dispossessed one Mr Akan Udoh of N25, 000.
Ikpeme said 3 of the suspects arrested have been handed over to the police for prosecution while the fourth suspect was arrested with a locally-made pistol at a rubber plantation in Biase while others were still on the run.
“Three suspects, Micah Edet, Bassey Udoh and Emmanuel Bassey, were arrested by members of the NSCDC attached to Operation Akpakwu on February 8, 2021, for robbing one Mr Akan Udoh of the sum of N25, 000.
“During the investigation, it was discovered that the compound in question was a black spot with an abandoned structure, where criminals sleep at night.
“Peter Obri, 25, was also arrested on January 13, 2021, at the Ibiae rubber plantation with a locally-made pistol, while attempting to steal palm fruits from the plantation,” he said.
One of the suspects, Peter Obri, denied being part of the criminals.
He said, “A friend of mine asked me to accompany him to convey Banga (palm fruits) and on our way, he gave me this locally-made pistol.
“I asked him what he wanted to use it for and he said just hold it for me. When we got there, we did not see the Banga and unknown to us, the Army had laid an ambush for us and caught me in the process, while my friend escaped.
“I am an okada rider by profession and I don’t know why he asked me to hold the pistol for him.”