Two suspects are currently in police custody, after being arrested in possession of a stolen car in Akwa Ibom State.
It was gathered that the suspected stolen SUV, a 2010 Honda CRV, which was branded with campaign posters of the governorship candidate, Mr. Nsima Ekere, was a product of a deadly serial robbery operation that cost the lives of many including that of the owner in far away Oyo State.
According to Ibomxpress News, the car was ALLEGEDLY presented to the suspects by the APC house of Representatives flagbearer for Ikono/Ini Federal constituency, Barr Edidiong Idiong.
Preliminary information available from the Oyo state Anti Robbery Squad reveals that the owner of the vehicle was among those murdered in an armed robbery attack at Oyo state.
The vehicle was subsequently brought and presented to Mr Etop Akpan Ezekiel, nicknamed ‘Black’ from Ikpe Ward 2 in Ini local government area by the APC stalwarts as a bait to lure him into their party.
Revelations from men of the police force contained that on the day of this occurrence, 3 robbery attacks were recorded within the vicinity where all the 3 owners of the vehicles were gunned down, while the robbers took off with their vehicles.
The leader of the police crack team that invaded Akwa Ibom state in search of the stolen vehicles disclosed that the hunt for the other two vehicles are still on, “now that we’ve been able to track this very one and have gotten it, we will now channel our energies and commit our resources into finding the other remaining two vehicles, and believe you me, all the culprits will be caught and brought to book,” he said.
Investigations so far reveals that some personal effects of the deceased lady who was the original owner of the vehicle like ID card, complimentary cards e.t.c are still in the car and so far, Oyo state Police Command in conjunction with the Police authorities in Ikot Ekpene, have taken custody of the vehicle.
Mr Etop Akpan Ezekiel (Black) had on the morning of 23rd November, driven the said car to a popular hospitality resort on Ikot Ekpene, for relaxation when the crack team incidentally arrived Akwa Ibom state on intelligence.
They traced the car to that resort and black sensing unusual moves and questions about the car absconded with the help of a certain Oscar his friend aiding him to flee the premises.
As the police then lay siege on the building mounting surveillance on the car.
The siege lasted till the next day being Saturday as the police kept vigil on the car which carried campaign stickers of Mr Nsima Ekere as well as APC insignia.
As envisaged, one Mr Isreal Ufia, who was contracted by Mr Black to come and ferry home the car was apprehended by the police.
So far, two suspects have been arrested including the wife of an APC youth leader who is also an officer of the Nigerian police force.