The Cross River State Police Command has a 26-year-old man, Thomas Anthony and one other suspect with an English-made Beretta pistol loaded with nine rounds of live ammunition.
The arrest took place at Ogboja in Abakpa, Ogoja Local Government Area on Friday, during a routine stop-and-search operation conducted by a patrol team from Ogoja Division.
According to a statement by ASP Sunday Eitokpah, the Police Public Relations Officer in the state, on Friday,, Anthony and one other suspect, were riding on a motorcycle, and were observed parading the area suspiciously at about 0900hrs.
The two suspects, were apprehended for unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The statement further disclosed that upon sighting the police patrol team, the suspects refused to stop when flagged down and attempted to escape, leading to a hot chase before they were eventually apprehended.
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“The suspects were subsequently arrested and are currently in police custody for further investigation,” the statement added.
During interrogation, the principal suspect,Anthony, confessed that he unlawfully inherited the firearm from his late elder brother.
Meanwhile, the state commissioner of police has commended the patrol team for their vigilance and professionalism, urging them to continue discharging their duties diligently in order to keep the state safe.
