Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested 269 suspects in the state over murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, rape and theft in the second quarter of 2023.
The number, according to the command, was due to the pre- and post-inauguration periods of the present government, the Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi crises, and the Nwaniba cult clash.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi, disclosed this on Friday, during the second quarter press briefing of the command held at Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital.
The commissioner said among the suspects arrested was one Prince Thursday Okon, a former domestic staff of a vice chancellor in a private school in the state, who was sacked because of his criminal activities.
He said Okon, in collusion with his two gang members, Saviour Sunday Luke and Richard Friday, all of Ikot Ebam Village in Mkpat Enin LGA, allegedly masterminded the kidnapping of his former boss, the VC, while on his way home.
He further said the sum of N1.27m cash was recovered as part of the ransom paid, while N200,000 was left in one of the suspect’s account, noting that the Toyota Corolla used for the operation was also recovered, even as he revealed that the VC has been reunited with his family.
The commissioner also disclosed that one Aniekan James of Ikot Ndot village in Ukanafun Local Government was arrested for shooting his 35-year-old only son, who was having an exchange of words with him.
“One Odudu Aniekan James, suspected to be a habitual murderer who has committed murders in Lagos and Aba, Abia State, was arrested,” Durosinmi said.
He also said a suspected ritualist, one Edu Udeme Ime of Mbak Etoi Village, Uyo was arrested at Urua Ekpa junction by the Command’s Quick Response Squad for being in possession of a human skull, saying that the suspect could not give any reasonable explanation as to why he was in possession of the skull but named their ring leader, who is a suspected ritualist.
Durosinmi said the command arrested five additional suspected cultists involved in the brutal Nwaniba cult clash, which led to the loss of lives in the month of May.
He added, “The following were arrested; Kemfon Inyang Imeh a.k.a Laptop, Horgan Edem Obongedem a.k.a Eburutu, Brown Uduak Emmanuel a.k.a Spunky, Godwin Effiong Okon a.k.a Buy and Buy, Sunday Udofia a.k.a Ikang Inwang – The Native Doctor who prepares their charms”.
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While thanking the Akwa Ibom State Government and other sister agencies for their support and robust synergy in fighting crime in the state, the state police command pledged to remain committed to providing the best policing services for the people of the state in line with international best practices.
