Police Arrest Notorious ‘Defence Minister’, Others In Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has arrested Ibor Usani, nicknamed ‘defence minister’ who is the notorious mastermind of several armed robberies and gang activities in Ugep area of the South-south state.

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

During his confession, the ‘Defence Minister’ explained that he was given that nickname because of his dexterity at arrangements and poise during given operations.

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

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.

Akande 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.

Meanwhile, bandits have killed seven vigilantes and burnt more than 50 motorcycles in an ambush in the Mashegu council area of Niger State.

It was learned that the bandits ambushed the vigilantes when they were mobilizing to launch an attack on a hideout for bandits believed to have killed seven farmers in the area two weeks before.

Sources said a mole among the vigilantes leaked the planned attack. Bandits rounded up the vigilantes while they were finalizing their attack plan.

“The bandits opened fire at the vigilante killing seven of them on the spot and injured several others. The bandits also set fire on over 50 Motorcycles belonging to the local security men that were parked at a distance to where the meeting was being held,” the source said.