July 23, (THEWILL) – Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has uncovered an armoury posed as a private mortuary by a notorious kidnapping syndicate at Ekeya, Okobo Local Government Area.
The State Police Commissioner, Waheed Ayilara, disclosed this and numerous successes of the Command in its fight against criminal elements in the state on Monday, while parading over 30 suspected criminals arrested for several offences at the state command headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia.
Addressing the press during the parade, the Commissioner said operatives of the command, through credible information and painstaking investigation, had recovered firearms and ammunition used by a notorious kidnapping syndicate led by a wanted kidnapper, Ubong Effiong Archibong, aka Condiment.
He said the syndicate was responsible for the kidnappings and killing of several persons in the Oron axis of the state and had been on the wanted list of the command.
“The said firearms were recovered at a private mortuary being used as the armoury at Ekeya, Okobo L.G.A. The firearms are: Two (2) AK-47 Rifles, Two (2) G3 Rifles, One (1) Double Barrel Rifle, One (1) Single Barrel Rifle, Five (5) Magazines and Seven (7) Live Ammunition.
“Also, on 20/7/2024 at about 3:15pm, a National Youth Service Corps member residing at Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim reported that at about 3:00am, one Paul Samuel Edu, 44yrs, (her landlord’s son) came knocking on her door.
“That on opening the door, the said Paul brandished her with a machete and directed her to follow him to his room for a talk or else he would harm her. On reaching the suspect’s room, he bolted the door, tore her clothes and had carnal knowledge without her consent.
“The suspect was arrested, and one machete and a slaughter knife were recovered from him. The investigation is ongoing.
“On the 23rd of June, 2024, relying on information at Command’s disposal that a group of thieves invaded Ibom Tropicana Complex, broke into its warehouse and stole some items therein, operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested the following suspects: Engr. Udofia Jonah age 56yrs, Ekerette David Sunday ‘m’ age 30yrs, Ukpe Aniebiet Ita ‘m’ age 25yrs, Moses Ita Etim ‘m’ age 26yrs, Inyene Joseph James ‘m’, Ekaette I. Nkrok ‘f’ age 42yrs, Aniefiok John Friday ‘m’ age 27yrs, and also recovered sixty-one (61) armoured doors and forty-two (42) timbers which were to be conveyed out of the State,” Ayilara disclosed.
Speaking further, the Police Commissioner said that through useful information from the public, operatives of the Command arrested one Ugwem Ijah Nteilie ‘m’ age 24yrs, Frank Frank ‘m’ age 25yrs, Morris Possible ‘m’ age 21yrs and Nura Idris ‘m’ age 26yrs for burglary and stealing of Eastern Obolo General Hospital equipment.
Items recovered from the suspects, according to him, include “seven (7) air conditioners compressors, three (3) plasma televisions, three (3) refrigerators, seven (7) compressors from stolen fridges, three (3) plasma television sets and one refrigerator. Efforts are ongoing to recover other stolen items.
“Through intelligence-led operation, operatives of the Command, in partnership with sister security agencies, arrested vandals responsible for vandalizing most of the Electric Transformers and Communication Mast within Akwa Ibom and Rivers States respectively.
“Suspects were arrested and they include; one Chinedu Divine Nweke, Kingsley James, Nnanna Uchendu, Kelechi Chima, Goodluck Amasi and Ikechi Nwauju, all residents of Rivers State.
“Further investigations revealed that the suspects were on the verge of vandalizing another transformer at Ikot Inyang-Ator in Ika Local Government Area of the State before they met their Waterloo.
“A Nissan Primera vehicle, one Gasoline Oxygen and spanners were recovered from them. Meanwhile, suspects confessed to the crime and admitted that they were responsible for vandalizing different Transformers in Ojor village, MTN Communication Mast located at Efemibon village and Airtel Comm. Mast at Ikot Idiong Etor village. Suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.
“Acting on credible information that some vandals were pulling down high tension electric cables along Eastern Obolo L.G.A., operatives of the Command arrested one Napiu Ibrahim ‘m’ age 19yrs, Melon Selitima ‘m’ age 22yrs and Abdul Abubbakar ‘m’ age 22yrs. A bag containing high-tension cables was recovered from the suspects. Suspects will have their day in court.
“Also, following intelligence report that an armed robbery syndicate terrorizing Uyo metropolis were selling out their stolen/looted items, operatives of the Command mobilized to the scene and arrested one Emmanuel Ekpenyong Bassey ‘m’ aged 20yrs, Saviour Etim Bassey ‘m’ aged 24yrs, Emem Christopher Charles ‘m’ aged 23yrs, Elijah Solomon Obot ‘m’ aged 21yrs and Etiuwem Christian Etim ‘m’ aged 22yrs, all of Uyo L.G.A.
“Further investigation led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, one Sumec Firman SPG4000E2 Generator, two (2) LG Flat Screen Television, Three (3) LG Speakers, one (1) Zinox Laptop, one (1) 6KG Gas Cylinder, one (1) Gionee Phone, one (1) Huawei Phone, one (1) Tecno Android Phone and one (1) Tecno Button Phone. Suspects have confessed to the crime and stated that there are about fifteen (15) members in their syndicate. Effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
“On 12/7/2024 at about 8:30pm, operatives of the Command on routine patrol accosted two suspects, one Daniel Edem Okon ‘m’ 23yrs and Samaila Salisu ‘m’ 20yrs on a Motorcycle without Identification Number along Timber Market, Uyo. After rigorous interrogation, the rider confessed that on 11/7/2024 at about 9:00pm, he paid a commercial cyclist on a ride from Idoro Road to Mbikpon Ikot Edim.
“That on getting to a lonely area he hacked the rider to death with a machete. Thereafter, he buried him in a shallow grave and went away with the motorcycle. The decomposed body of the victim later identified as one Saviour Anthony Effiong ‘m’ aged 45yrs has been exhumed and deposited at a Morgue.
“On 5/7/2024 at about 10:30pm, the Command received a distress call from a tricycle rider that he was attacked by armed robbers along Four Lane by Sylvanus Okon Street, Uyo. Operatives of the Command rushed to the scene and recovered the snatched tricycle while the hoodlums took to their heels. However, upon trailing the suspects, one Wisdom Jacob Udom and one Timothy Edem Ekpenyong ‘m’ were arrested. Both suspects confessed to being members of the Vikings Confraternity. A motorcycle and machetes used for their modus operandi were recovered.”
Also paraded for running a baby factory, was a 56-year-old woman, Eunice Eze. According to the Police Commissioner, “on 15/7/2024 at about 4:30pm, based on actionable intelligence, one Mrs. Eunice Eze ‘f’ age 56yrs was arrested for running a baby factory at World Bank Estate in Owerri. The suspect specialises in stealing babies and pregnant women from Akwa Ibom State through her agent, one Ability Henry Tom. Ten (10) pregnant women were rescued”.
CP Ayilara appreciated the State Government for its support as well as sister security agencies and good-spirited members of the public whose credible and timely information led to the huge achievements.
He called for support and cooperation from the public, saying that security is everyone’s business. He also called for a more formidable collaboration from all to keep the state safe and peaceful.
