The military said that it has recorded huge success in ridding the Niger Delta of crime in its ongoing Operation Crocodile Smile II.
Tit said the operational activities within 6 Division Area of Responsibility has since its commencement made the arrest of many suspects for various criminal offences including kidnap, armed robbery, cultism, illegal oil bunkering among other crimes.
Deputy Director Army Public Relations 6 Division Nigerian Army, Colonel Aminu Iliyasu in a statement on Monday said those arrested during its operation in Akwa Ibom include one Bishop Uwah Akpan believed to be the financier of criminals.
He was arrested at Ikot Ibekwe community of Ukanafun Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom.
“The suspect is volunteering information about gangs of kidnappers and cultists linked to him,” the statement added.
The 2 Brigade AOR which covers Akwa Ibom State, vigilant troops also arrested one Udeme Nnah a suspected notorious cultist who has allegedly been terrorising the community. The troops of 2 Brigade Garrison also arrested the duo of Saviour Markus and Nsika Udoh for cult-related activities.
He said further that, “a group of vandals at Itu Paper Mill in Uruan Local Government Area of the state were also arrested for cutting armoured cables belonging to the company.
“Two other suspects, simply identified as Ekom and Ndefrike were arrested with three rolls of vandalised cables and two motorcycles.
“A suspected arms supplier, one Friday Silas Udoh at Ikot Odiong community of Ukanafun LGA where he was arrested.”
Various items including live cartridges, locally made gunpowder, damaged single barrel guns and gun making accessories were recovered from the suspects.
