By Eniola Ambosege
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested two suspected “one chance” robbers following an attack on a 20-year-old student in Calabar.
The suspects, identified as Leo Celestine, 25, and Ndiana-Abasi William, 30, were apprehended on Thursday after allegedly robbing the victim and pushing her out of a moving commercial vehicle.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Aitokpah Sunday Akata, the incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. when the suspects, posing as passengers in a commercial minibus, attacked the victim, a student of the School of Nursing, Calabar.
Akata said the suspects dispossessed the victim of her Android phone and other personal belongings before pushing her out of the moving vehicle.
“The driver of the minibus immediately stopped, raised the alarm, and pursued the fleeing suspects towards the Bogobiri area,” the statement read.
He added that police operatives, acting on the distress call, swiftly joined the pursuit and successfully apprehended the suspects.
Items stolen from the victim, including her mobile phone, were recovered from the suspects.
During interrogation, the suspects reportedly confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity and admitted to specialising in robbing unsuspecting members of the public and selling stolen items to receivers within the metropolis.
The police spokesman said efforts were ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate, including those who buy stolen goods.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities to security agencies.
