Police arrest notorious ‘Defence Minister’, 9 others in Cross River

By EYO CHARLES, Calabar

Ibor Usani, nicknamed ‘defence minister’ and the alleged mastermind of several armed robberies and gang activities in Ugep, has been arrested, police in Cross River say.

He was paraded alongside nine other suspects arrested few days after the state’s new police commissioner Sikiru Akande, assumed office.

He told journalists at his state command on Diamond Hill Calabar that upon his posting to the state, he immediately studied all the available security information about the state.

Ibor confessed that he was nicknamed “defence minister” due to his dexterity at arrangements and poise during given operations.

“Many times I am the one mandated by my group to launch out strategies. Often we succeed when I performed,” he said.

Two of the suspects–Omini Obiang Eteng and Ikpi Oden Patrick–were picked up after a report by the youth leader of Ijiman in Ugep that they were in possession of firearms.

The commissioner said one kidnap and cultism kingpin, better known as Romance, was arrested in collaboration with Operations Akpagwu.

He is said to have confessed to belonging to the Black Axe gang.

Akande said he is in the state to clean it up of crimes and solicited support from journalists and other citizens, promising to smoke out suspects from their hideouts.

“We will secure the state with every energy at our disposal,” he said. (Daily Trust)