Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have shot dead three armed robbers in a gun duel, while one of the suspects was captured during an operation in Ikot Ekpene local government area.
The police public relations officer (PPRO), CSP Odiko MacDon, who disclosed this on behalf of the commissioner of police (CP), Waheed Ayilara, said the neutralised armed robbers met their waterloo when they robbed at NDDC Hall/National Museum in Ikot Inyang village in Ikot Ekpene LGA.
MacDon, explained that operatives of the command’s crack team of Ikot Ekpene Division, while responding to a distress call, engaged the armed robbers, numbering about ten, and neutralised three in a gun duel.
He said that a locally-made pistol, one expanded, one live cartridges and vandalised wire cables, among other items, were recovered from them.
He said: “In compliance with the CP’s directive, a crack team of Ikot Ekpene Division responded to a distress call, engaged armed robbers, numbering about ten, who were robbing at NDDC Hall/National Museum, Ikot Inyang village and environs.
“In the ensuing gun duel, three of the suspects were neutralised while one was arrested and others escaped with bullet wounds.
“A locally-made pistol, one expanded and one live cartridge were recovered. Also recovered were vandalised wire cables, among other items. The gang is said to be responsible for robberies around Ikot Ekpene and environs.
“The command, on the directive of the commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, took the fight to the criminal elements’ hideouts and brought them to book, for a peaceful Akwa Ibom.”