The Cross River State Police Command has debunked a report that 19 kidnap and robbery suspects escaped from its custody in Calabar.

Clearing the air, Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Irene Ugbo, said that it was only seven detainees that escaped on December 13, 2020.

His statement reads: “The attention of the Commissioner of Police has been drawn to an unverified report that 19 armed robbers and kidnappers escaped from Police custody

“It is on the basis that the Commissioner of Police wishes to updates the general public. On the 13th December 2020 at about 5am, 7 detainees who were in the custody of the Command for serious offences escaped from the cell

“However, 3 died in the process of escaping while one was re-arrested.

Meanwhile, efforts are being made to apprehend others. By this, the Command will not renege but have resolved to confront all forms of criminality no matter their forms” the statement added.