The Cross River Police Command has confirmed the death of an Inspector, Edet Archibong, who was killed in a gun duel between the police and suspected cultists on Tuesday night in Calabar.
A Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunde Gbolarumi, made the confirmation on Wednesday during an interactive session with journalists in his office.
Gbolarumi said the inspector was killed after a group of cultists numbering about 50 engaged some patrol men from the Atakpa Division in a gun battle at Bogobiri in Calabar.
He said two suspected cultists were also killed, eight were arrested while others fled with gunshot injuries.
“We recovered one English pistol, two locally made pistols and two empty cartridges from them.
“Also, one of our men, Sgt. Awo Obongha, was also shot but he did not die. He is currently receiving treatment and from the medical reports, he is fast recovering.
“We arrested eight suspects in connection with the crime. Investigation is ongoing and the suspects would soon be charged to court,’’ Gbolarunmi said.
Gbolarumi said that 14 other suspects in police custody were arrested for various offences which included kidnapping and armed robbery.
He said that the command also rescued a kidnap victim, Mrs Oma Ebutaya, on Tuesday at Satellite Town in Calabar.
According to Gbolarunmi, the victim was abducted by four armed men in her car as she was about entering her house.
“On getting the report, our `A’ Police Division swiftly led a patrol team with the victim’s relations and our men traced her to No. 45, Idang street, where she was rescued.
“She has since been reunited with her family and investigation is ongoing to track the perpetrators,’’ he said.
He solicited the cooperation of residents in the state in the area of information sharing, saying that timely and useful information would help the command to curb crime.
