28th February, 2023
By Ehigimetor Igbaugba
A notorious Cross Rivers kidnap kingpin, Kufre Etim, aka Romance has been arrested three years after he was declared wanted for involvement in several cases of armed robbery, kidnappings, armed robbery and killings in the state.
Kufre was arrested by officers of Cross River Police Command Anti Cultism and Kidnapping Squad (ACKS) led by SP Ogini Chukwuma.
The ACKS, acting through intelligence, had stormed the hideout of Kufre behind the University of Cross River where he allegedly opened fire on sighting the team.
He was injured in the gun duel with the police and was subsequently arrested.
While he was arrested, other members of the gang escaped with various injuries.
The state Commissioner of Police, Sule Balarabe, described his arrest as a victory for the police and the people of Cross River.
“The notorious kidnapper has been terrorising the state and part of a neighbouring state for years, we are glad that he has been apprehended.
“He has been on the wanted list for three years and we finally picked him up today,” he stated.
“He is said to be responsible for the abduction of several medical doctors, lecturers of the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital as well as the University of Calabar.
“He was also responsible for the abduction of the wife of a popular journalist in Calabar.
He was apprehended behind the University of Cross River.