The Nigeria Police Force has arrested five persons in connection with the killing of four policemen in Calabar, Cross River State, South-south Nigeria.
Briefing the Press, the Commissioner of the Cross River State Police Command, Sikiru Akande described the killing of the four policemen as an attempt by criminals to dampen the morale of security agents in the bid to safeguard the lives of Nigerians.
Akande said, “What happened this morning is an attempt by criminals to dampen our fight against kidnapping and other criminalities. We have gone to the scene of the incident to see exactly what and how it happened. We have realised that it was a means by some people to dampen our spirit in our efforts to cleanse Cross.
“But I want to assure you, our spirit is not dampened. We are going to continue to work very hard. In fact, we have arrested five persons, who are connected with the killings and we are still going to arrest more.
“We have an inkling that it is a group of suspected cultists making efforts to get equipment for their upcoming initiation. I assure you the media and the people of Cross River State that before the end of this week, we will apprehend all those responsible for this dastardly act and brought to justice.”
The Police Commissioner stated that that two rifles were recovered at the scene, while the hunt for other suspects as well as the other two guns was ongoing.
He said; “We have recovered two rifles and investigation is ongoing to recover the other two. It is unfortunate that the only thing we would not be able to recover are the lives of the four men killed by the gunmen.”
At about 12.50am, residents of Ayan Mbat community in Calabar Municipality were awaken by sound of heavy gunfire, which lasted some minutes and claimed the lives of four policemen – two inspectors and two sergeants.
A source residing close to the security check point told newsmen that the community members, at daylight, saw the remains of the murdered policemen and called the police hotlines to report the incident.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
