Four arrested as police foil bank robbery in Cross River

The Cross River police command says it has foiled a robbery attack in one of the old-generation banks in Calabar, the state capital.

Confirming the incident, Sule Balarabe, the state commissioner of police, said the command arrested four suspects in connection with the failed attack.

He said the suspects were Joshua Samuel, aged 22; Innocent Edom, aged 20; Samuel Okon, aged 28; and Mohammed Salisu, aged 29.

He said five of the suspected bank robbers were, however, still at large.

“Based on credible intelligence, the supol in charge of EPZ (Export Processing Zone) mobilised a tactical team and stormed the bank, apprehending four out of the nine suspects,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“The four arrested suspects were the ones carrying out espionage (surveillance) for the remaining five armed men outside waiting to strike.

“During preliminary inquiry, the suspects confessed to having been on an espionage mission with the intent to alert other gang members on when to strike and rob the bank.”

Balabare assured that the fleeing suspects would soon be apprehended. He also warned criminals who were bent on causing havoc to either leave the town or stay law-abiding as they would be ruthlessly dealt with.

“All the commanders of our tactical teams, DPOs are on red alert to deal decisively with criminal elements in any part of the state, within the ambit of the law and in the most professional manner,” he said.

“My officers and men have stepped up policing holistically across the length and breadth of the state.

“In achieving this task, the command has carried out massive deployment of personnel and tools in critical infrastructure, recreational centres and directed aggressive vehicular/foot patrols before, during and after the festive season.”