Police arrest two Cross River vandals, recover iron poles

Men of the Cross River State Police Command have arrested two suspected vandals and recovered three stolen iron poles believed to have been taken from Akamkpa Quarry Limited in Akamkpa Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest took place on Wednesday at about 11:20am by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Sector 2, Akamkpa/Ugep, following credible intelligence.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement to journalists on Thursday in Calabar, adding that the suspects, Kelvin Ignatius, 27, and Arnold Okon, 29, both of Obung Village, Akamkpa LGA, were apprehended around Nsang Junction during a routine patrol.

The statement read, “The Cross River State Police Command, through the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Sector 2, Akamkpa/Ugep, has arrested two suspects in connection with the alleged vandalism and theft of facilities belonging to Akamkpa Quarry Limited (Sterling Global) in Akamkpa LGA.”

The police spokesman further said three long iron poles suspected to have been stolen from the quarry company were recovered from the suspects, adding that they allegedly admitted to stealing the items and confessed to involvement in the theft of other company property, including diesel, engine oil and truck tyres.

“Three long iron poles, suspected to have been stolen from the quarry, were recovered from the suspects. During preliminary questioning, they allegedly admitted stealing the items and disclosed their alleged involvement in the theft of other company property, including diesel, engine oil and truck tyres,” the statement read.

The command said an investigation was ongoing to recover other stolen property and identify and apprehend other members of the suspected vandalism network.

The state Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo-Geoffrey Ordue, in his remarks, commended the Violent Crime Response Unit operatives for their prompt response and directed that a thorough investigation be sustained to ensure all culprits were brought to justice.

Ordue also called on members of the public to provide credible information on suspicious activities, especially around critical infrastructure and industrial facilities, to support crime prevention efforts.

“Members of the public are advised to continue providing credible information on suspicious activities, particularly around critical infrastructure and industrial facilities, to support crime prevention and the protection of property,” he added.