Phone snatchers, receivers nabbed in Cross River

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, zone six, Calabar, have arrested phone snatchers and receivers.

The suspects reportedly snatched the phones during the just concluded Calabar Carnival.

The zone six PRO, SP Nelson Okpabi confirmed the arrest in a statement released Friday evening.

“On the 18th of August, 2023, one Edwin Effiong Edet ‘m’ of 23 years of No. 5 Ikot Ekpo Street, Calabar, was arrested in connection with the snatching of Tecno Spark 7P phone along Tinapa road on 10th August, 2023, property of one Pastor Ekom Smart.

“Similarly, one Ibrahim Abdulahi ‘m’ 23 years and Haruna Adamu ‘m’ 25 years of No. 13/14 Bogobiri, Calabar were arrested on 21st December, 2023 for maliciously damaging a Toyota Hilux on 10th December, 2023 at Eleven-Eleven Calabar during Carol night and for stealing (1) A Redmi Smart Note ‘8’ valued ₦250, 000 (2) One Samsung Galaxy A59 5G valued ₦500, 000 and (3) Jewelries valued ₦800,000 property of one Pastor Caleb James ‘m’.”

Okpabi said that during the search of the suspects’ houses, a Tecno Spark 7P, one Redmi Smart Note ‘8’ and a Samsung Galaxy A59 5G were recovered.

In their confessions, they said they received the items from their purveyors but denied taking part in the stealing.

The statement also confirmed recovery of a silver coloured Toyota Corolla Car with Registration No. BWR 973 CL, VIN: 2T1BR32EX4C218077 belonging to one Edoma Jonah.

The car was snatched at gun point in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State but was sighted within the Calabar metropolis.

“Surveillance was mounted and the vehicle recovered from Daniel Isuk John, 24, who stays at No. 50 Abang Asseng Street, Calabar, who fraudulently obtained a new vehicle license and changed the registration number to BJE 445 TY.

“The suspects have made useful statements to the police and will be arraigned at the end of investigation,” he said.

Okpabi quoted AIG Jonathan Towuru as advising the people of Akwa Ibom and Cross River State to go about their lawful businesses and count on the police and sister security agencies for security of lives and property.