The Akwa Ibom state Police command has confirmed the arrest of one hundred and fifty three suspected thugs who were suspected to be hired from Edo state to Akwa Ibom state to cause havoc during the governorship/State house of Assembly elections on Saturday
The Police Public Relations Officer, MacDon Ogbeche who spoke on behalf of the Commissioner of police deployed for elections purposes in the State, CP Ibrahim Sani Kaoje told newsmen on Thursday that the 153 political thugs who were led by one Jerry Egbom were apprehended in their eleven buses.
He added that the gang was arrested on Tuesday by IGP Special Tactical Squad on patrol along Ikot-Ekpene
Local Government Area of the State.
According to him, “on the 5th March, 2019, at about 5;30 pm, IGP Special Tactical Squad, Uyo while on Intensive patrol, along Ikot-Ekpene Local Government, arrested one hundred and fifty three persons in eleven
buses led by one Jerry Egbom ‘M’ who were on their way to Uyo, from Edo State.
“They were suspected to be thugs coming into Akwa Ibom State for the purpose of causing havoc during the March 9th, 2019 Governorship/State House of Assembly elections.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed into the matter by the state Criminal Investigation Department reveals that that the suspects were APC youths from Edo extraction who were on their way to the state to attend the final APC youth rally scheduled to hold on 7th March, 2019.”
He also disclosed that on -the-spot search was immediately conducted on all the suspects but nothing incriminating was found on any of them after the arrest.
He however added that investigation was ongoing but those who were not found culpable were released according to the rules of law but those who could not give proper account of themselves were still detained by the police.
The commissioner expressed appreciation to Akwa Ibom Youths whose assistance he said had also led to the arrest of another set of ten criminal suspects in the state adding that investigation into their matter was going on.
Kaoje also debunked claims of an explosion at the APC Gubernatorial campaign office in Uyo attributing the incident to reaction following sporadic gun shots with one person sustaining minor injury.
