By Archibong Jeremiah
The Cross River Police Command on Monday confirmed that seven detained suspects arrested for various offences escaped from its cell on December 13, 2020 and not 19 as it was reported.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo made the clarification in a release issued in Calabar.
Ugbo cleared that the incident happened at around 5am on in one of the command’s outfit in Calabar.
“The attention of the Commissioner of Police in Cross River, Mr. Abdulkadir Jimoh, has been drawn to the unverified exaggerated item making round in some social media platforms that 19 suspected armed robbers and kidnappers escaped from police custody.
“It is on the above that the Commissioner of Police wishes to update the general public on the development.
“On 13th December, 2020, at about 5am, seven detainees who were in the custody of one of the command’s outfits for various offences escaped from the cell.
“However, three of them died in the process of escaping, while one was re-arrested. Meanwhile, effort is being intensified to apprehend other fleeing culprits.
“By this announcement, the command urge mischief makers to always confirm facts and figures, before sending such for public consumption, as this can cause panic or unnecessary tension in the State,” she said according to NAN.
The release further said that the Command will not renege, but rather, have resolved to confront all forms of criminality no matter their schemes before, during and after the yuletide season.
“Finally, the Command solicits genuine information from private individuals, corporate bodies and good spirited citizens at all times for enhanced performance and quality service delivery please,” the release said.