Police arrest suspect, recover pistol, ammunition in C’River

The Police Command in Cross River has arrested a suspect over alleged assault and threats to life and recovered a locally made pistol, and two live cartridges in Biase Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Sunday Eitokpah, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Calabar.

Eitokpah also said that a black beret suspected to be associated with the Aye Confraternity was recovered from the suspect.

He said a female resident of Ibiaeh Palm Estate reported the suspect who happened to be her fiancé, to the Biase Police Division on Oct. 18, alleging that he had repeatedly assaulted her and threatened her life.

He said police operatives subsequently searched the suspect’s residence on Oct. 19, following information linking him to suspected membership of the secret cult.

“The operatives recovered the locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and the black beret during the search.

“The suspect will remain in police custody as investigators work to establish the circumstances surrounding the recovery and verify his alleged cult affiliation,” he said.

The command’s spokesman quoted the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ajo Ordue, to have reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling cultism, illegal possession of firearms, threats to life and other violent crimes.

Ordue urged residents to promptly report suspicious activities and threats to their safety through appropriate security channels.

The commissioner assured the public that the police would conduct a thorough investigation and pursue prosecution in accordance with the law.