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Police arrest suspected kidnapper while allegedly collecting N3m ransom from the family of murdered victim Koffi in Nsit Ubium.
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Victim’s mobile phone recovered from suspect, providing investigators with key evidence to trace other alleged members of the kidnapping syndicate.
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Police arrest suspected armed robber, recover stolen laptop and PS4, after a stop-and-search operation along Mbak Itam.
August 31, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 29-year-old man, Otuekong Enoidem, suspected to be involved in the kidnapping and murder of Koffi, following his alleged attempt to collect ₦3 million ransom from the victim’s family.
Enoidem, an indigene of Akai Ubium Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area, was arrested at about 11:30 pm on August 25, 2026, during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Command.
The Police said the arrest followed sustained investigations into the kidnapping and murder of Koffi, whose death was reported to the Command on August 24.
According to the Command, the suspect was apprehended while allegedly attempting to collect the ₦3 million ransom demanded from the deceased victim’s family.
The Police also recovered the mobile phone belonging to the victim, which was allegedly used by the kidnappers to communicate ransom demands.
The Command said the recovered phone would serve as a critical piece of evidence in the ongoing investigation and could assist detectives in establishing the circumstances surrounding the crime and identifying other members of the alleged criminal syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their diligence, courage and professionalism, assuring residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led policing, surveillance and operations against kidnappers and other violent criminals.
The Police Commissioner reiterated that there would be no safe haven for criminals in the state, stressing that persons involved in kidnapping, murder and other violent crimes would be pursued and brought to justice in accordance with the law.
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Meanwhile, the Command has also arrested a suspected member of an armed robbery syndicate and recovered items allegedly stolen from a victim at gunpoint.
The arrest occurred on August 21 during a stop-and-search operation along Mbak Itam, when Police operatives intercepted a tricycle with registration number PBT 322 QN, driven by one Wisdom Edet.
The Police said the driver had two passengers who refused to stop when flagged down and instead sped away. During the ensuing pursuit, the two passengers reportedly jumped out of the moving tricycle and escaped, while Edet was arrested.
A search of the tricycle led to the recovery of an HP laptop, PS4 game player, torchlight, two face caps, power bank, key wallet holder, black eyeglasses, two phone chargers, white long-sleeved shirt, nose mask and long-sleeved jean jacket.
The Command said a man identified as Samuel later reported at the Police Station and positively identified the HP laptop and PS4 game player as his property, alleging that the items were stolen from him during a robbery at gunpoint.
He also identified some of the recovered clothing items as similar to those allegedly worn by the robbers during the attack.
The Commissioner commended the Police operatives for their alertness and professionalism, saying the recovery demonstrated the Command’s determination to disrupt criminal activities and ensure justice for victims.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information on suspicious persons and activities, assuring the public that such information would be treated confidentially.
