Police recover AK47 rifle from fleeing herdsmen

Police in Cross River have recovered one AK-47 rifle, a cutlass and N1million from fleeing herdsmen in Ikom Local Government Area.

Spokesman of Zone Six of the Nigeria Police Force, SP Nelson Okpabi, said an Assistant Commissioner of Police in the zone, Mr Emeka Onyekaba led the team that went after the fugitives.

“On Jan. 18, the ACP Onyekaba-led X-Squad, Zone 6 headquarters trailed some persons suspected to be herdsmen to the trailer park in Ikom Local Government Area of Cross River.

“The X-Squad recovered one AK-47 rifle, a cutlass and N1 million abandoned by the fleeing men who took advantage of the busy park to escape,’’ he stated.

Okpabi added that the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone, Mr Okunlola Kamaldeen, proceeded on retirement on Thursday having attained the statutory age of 60 years.

He stated that Kamaldeen, in his valedictory speech, urged officers to redouble their efforts to ensure that fleeing herdsmen who took off on sighting the police in Ikom were arrested.

“He praised the courage of the officers, the good working relationship he enjoyed during his short stay in the zone and appreciated the peace-loving people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River for their support and cooperation.

“He also charged them to extend the same hand of fellowship to his successor and sustain the peaceful tempo in the zone.

“The officers and men of the Zonal Command seized the opportunity to celebrate AIG Kamaldeen on his successful attainment of the statutory age of 60 years on Feb. 2.

“The AIG expressed gratitude to God almighty and the Inspector- General of Police, Mr Usman Alkali, and all who made his service worthwhile.

“ Kamaldeen prayed for God to help those he is leaving behind to be civil to members of the public, humble themselves and obey lawful orders for God to reward them with good health, life and peaceful retirement,’’ Okpabi added.