The Cross River State Police Command says it apprehended 148 persons for various crimes between July and November.

The Commissioner of Police, Rashid Afegbua, said at a press briefing in Calabar on Friday that nine persons were convicted for different offences during the period.

Mr Afegbua said that during the period, the command prosecuted 25 cases in court over alleged armed robbery, murder, kidnapping, and stealing, among others.

He said that 113 cases were pending in court, of which 60 had been transmitted to the Director of Public Prosecution, while 53 were pending at various courts.

The commissioner said 19 persons were apprehended over alleged murder, 62 over stealing, 11 for suspected armed robbery, five over attempted murder, and two for alleged kidnapping.

“We also apprehended 19 persons over rape, nine for alleged malicious damage, and seven over unlawful possession of firearms.

“Seven persons were detained over assault, two for alleged vandalism, another two for suspected arson, and three over cultism,” he said.

Mr Afegbua said the command recovered one automatic foreign pump-action rifle, six locally fabricated long guns, five locally made short guns, 284 cartridges, and 520 cartons of tramadol.

He said the command had been collaborating with the civil populace and other security agencies to promote law and order in the state.

The police chief said the command had restored trust and accountability in police-community relations in the state.

“We have strengthened inter-agency collaboration; this is to ensure coordinated security efforts. We remain committed to our mandate of ensuring peace and security,” he said.

(NAN)