The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Adeyemi Samuel Ogunjemilusi, has announced the killing of Stainless, the leader of a killer group terrorising the state.
He was killed on Wednesday by the police.
With his death and the arrest of other hoodlums, the police boss said, the reign of terror in the state was over.
He however warned criminals in the state that there was no hiding place for them.
According to him, security had been beefed up and the police would remain ruthless with criminals.
Ogunjemilusi gave the warning on Thursday during a security brief on Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
He pointed out that security had improved significantly in Ikot Ekpene, Plaza, Eket and other areas of the state following the efforts of his men.
His words: “There is no hiding place for cultists anymore as many of them have been effectively put behind bars while others are facing prosecution.
“They are mainly responsible for heinous crimes in the State. We are aware some of them have moved their activities into the forests but even there, we would smoke them out. Arrangements have also been concluded with authorities of higher institutions and Students’ Unions to flush them out and restore the glory of the various institutions.
“I would therefore like to seize this opportunity to call on all peace loving people to continue to cooperate with the Police and other security agencies to maintain law and order by furnishing us with credible information.
“I did pledge on my assumption of duty that we would confront all acts of criminality and make the state the safest in the country and I’m here to assure all Akwaibomites that we’re on course.”
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Speaking on the success recorded by the police in stemming the tide of violence in the state, the police boss said they had been able to kill the leader of the group, Akaninyene Jumbo known as Iso Akpafid on January 15, 2018.
However, he said, the peace recorded at the time was later shattered by the activities of Iso Akpafid’s successor, Stainless, who also went on rampage.
The police boss said with spirited efforts, the reign of terror was over as Stainless had been killed and some other hoodlums arrested.
Said he: “Disturbed by this ugly development, the security agencies in the state re-strategized and mounted massive operations against the criminal gang.
“This led to the arrests of many of the hoodlums who in spite of numerous appeals refused to surrender their weapons and embrace peace.
“Our efforts received a boost at about 2230 hours of 18 April 2018 with the death of the current and most brutal gang leader, known as Stainless by his victims but whose real name is Isaac, but known to the Security Community and close aides as BAGGY SHORT, after serious exchange of gun fire.
“Thus effectively bringing to an end the reign of terror of Iso Akpafid and his lieutenants in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun.
“We have chosen to parade his corpse to demystify his invisibility and re-assure the people of Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun of their safety to encourage those who have fled the area to return home.”
He added that the police in the state had enjoyed the support of the Inspector General of Police in the operations.
The mopping up of arms in circulation, he said, had helped the situation in the state.
