The police command in Cross River has commenced a statewide mop-up of illegal firearms across the 18 local government areas of the state as part of its intensified strategy to combat crime and criminality.

Spokesperson of the command, SP Irene Ugbo, disclosed this on Sunday following the arrest of a 61-year-old suspect in the Abu Emeh village, Boki Local Government Area.

According to Ms Ugbo, operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Ikom Unit, acting on credible intelligence, executed a search warrant on the suspect’s residence in the early hours of Sunday.

“During the operation, police recovered one English-made double-barrel gun, four locally fabricated firearms, 128 live cartridges, and one machete,” she said.

According to her, the detained suspect confessed to ownership and possession of the recovered items as investigations continue.

Ms Ugbo quoted the commissioner of police (CP) as reiterating the command’s commitment to curbing the proliferation of arms, especially as the “Ember Months”, a period traditionally associated with increased security challenges, approach.

The CP assured residents of the command’s readiness to ensure a peaceful and secure environment across all communities.

He also solicited the continued collaboration among the police, other security agencies, and the public.

The CP urged public members to provide timely and credible information to aid crime prevention, control, and efforts to reduce the prevalence of illegal arms in the state.

(NAN)