The dividends of Operation Akpakwu, a security outfit set up by Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State, have started paying off as it made successful arrests of criminals, just a few days after its launching.
Operation Akpakwu which is made up of Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigeria Police, Nigeria Society and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), on Monday night arrested a Notorious Kidnapper, Mr. Etim Etim Bassey, who has been on most wanted list.
Bassey and several other Kidnappers that were nabbed by the operatives have been terrorising Calabar and other parts of Cross River State, turning the criminal act into Business.
On receipt of intelligence by intelligent officers, Bassey was said to have been spotted with his gang around the Anantigha axis of Calabar South.
Operation Akpakwu responded immediately and surrounded all escape perimeters, then clamped on the criminal suspect with his gang.
Also confirmed is the presence of Operation Crocodile Smile (OP CS) which is now permanently stationed in Anantigha, Calabar South Local Government Area.
As of Sunday, OP CS invaded and combed the entire Anantigha and Jebbs creeks in search of kidnappers and notorious gang leaders.
Meanwhile the State Security Department has dismissed reports making the rounds on social media that one person was shot dead at Ekpo Abasi junction, Calabar South in the wee hours of yesterday, stating emphatically that report is false.
Narrating the event, the department said they received a distressed call from a shop owner of possible shooting around the environment which necessitated the expedient response of OP Akpakwu but upon arrival it was discovered that the blaring sound from “knock-out” being thrown into a popular shop was mistaken for gunshots.
In recent times in Cross River, a day never passes by without reports of kidnappings in the state.