The Cross River Police Command said on Wednesday that it killed one suspected criminal and arrested six others shortly after some hoodlums robbed a Micro-Finance Bank in Calabar South local Government Area

Mr Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, the state Commissioner of Police, disclosed this in Calabar while briefing newsmen on the successes recorded by the command against the gang.

Ozi-Obeh, who presented the suspects at the command’s headquarters, said that the robbery incident took place on Tuesday along Mayne Avenue by Inyang Street.

According to him, the surveillance team attached to Atakpa Police Division received a distress call from members of the public about the robbery incident.

“On the 15th of November 2016, men of the surveillance team attached to the Atakpa Police Division received a distress call of a bank robbery in Calabar South.

“My men immediately swung into action and confronted the gang in a serious gun battle which eventually led to the death of one of them by name Alex.

“We also arrested six of them and when searched, we recovered one black Toyota Camry without number plate; one locally made pistol, lap-top, phones, ATM cards and others.

“Out of the six suspects arrested, one of them is in the hospital receiving treatment after receiving serious gun shots.

“I must respectfully commend members of the public who availed us with the useful information that led to the arrest of these suspects.’’

The commissioner said that no money was recovered from the suspects, adding that the war against criminality in the state was a continuous process requiring the efforts of all.

“We implore the general public to continuously avail us with useful and timely information through our help lines designated to enable us to serve better,’’ he said. (NAN)