The police command in Cross River said a total of 81 suspects were charged to various courts between September and October 2023.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Irene Ugbo, made the disclosure in Calabar on Tuesday during the parade of 15 suspects arrested across the state within the period under review.

She said that the suspects are being tried for various crimes ranging from armed robbery, kidnapping, murder, stealing, malicious damage and assault.

She said that the command also secured three convictions within the same period, pointing out that other cases were pending in the courts.

On the paraded suspects, Ms Ugbo said that their offences ranged from murder, armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, unlawful possession of firearms, and sea pirate, among others.

She further said that the command recovered various arms and ammunition in the months under review.

Ms Ugbo gave the breakdown of the arms and ammunition to include: 13 single-barrel dane guns, three pump action guns, five MAC4 automatic rifles, five locally fabricated pistols, and a double-barrel long gun.

Others are two G3 automatic rifles; 650 rounds of 7.62×51 LAR ammunition; 29 rounds of 7.62×39 Ak47 ammunition; eight pieces of 90m high explosives; and 10 pieces of detonator.

The command warned all “potential trouble makers” to recommit themselves to a crime-free life, saying the police would be on the lookout for them as the yuletide approaches.

It also warned those behind communal clashes in the state to desist from their acts.

“Cross River residents need to see the need for peaceful coexistence.

“They should adopt the spirit of forbearance rather than unlawfully taking the lives of others, maiming and destroying properties of innocent citizens in the name of communal clashes,” Ms Ugbo said.

She charged communities, traditional institutions, religious leaders and the political class to eschew bitterness that results in self-help and seek redress through legal means.

(NAN)