Uyo, The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced significant breakthroughs in tackling crime within the state, highlighting cases of child trafficking, defilement, armed robbery, and cultism. Speaking at a press briefing held at the State Police Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, outlined the Command’s achievements for the week under review.
DSP John revealed that operatives arrested two suspects, Roseline Dennis and Sunday Udo Ekong, of Ikwen Village, Obot Akara LGA, for abducting two children, aged 4 and 2 years, from St. Joseph Catholic School, Ikot Ofon Ikono. The suspects allegedly planned to sell the victims in Umuahia, Abia State. Fortunately, the children were rescued and reunited with their families.
In a separate case, four suspects from Abia State, identified as Okwondu Nkpurunna, Vivian Izima Chamdin, Okozie Amarachi, and Christina Emmanuel Onyechi, were apprehended for trafficking two children, aged 11 and 12, from Ikot Edibom, Nsit Ubium LGA, and Mkpatak, Essien Udim LGA. The children, rescued in Abia State, are set to be reunited with their families as investigations continue.
Two cases of defilement were recorded. The Command arrested a 32-year-old man, Daniel Effiong Umoh, also known as “Akaka,” of Abak Itenghe, Abak LGA, for allegedly defiling a teenage girl. Armed with a machete, the suspect reportedly assaulted the victim in a bush. Further investigations revealed that Umoh had a history of sexually assaulting teenage girls.
In another incident, a pastor, Louis Akpojotor Mevoweoyo, from Ughelli North LGA, residing in Ibiono Ibom, was arrested for allegedly defiling his daughter. DSP John stated that the abuse, which began when the victim was 12 years old, most recently occurred in December 2024. Both suspects will face prosecution.
Police operatives arrested three suspected members of the Italian Mafia Secret Cult Confraternity: Nsongurua Etim Okon, 28; Godspower Effiom Etim, 46; and Etieyen Joseph Bassey, 34. The suspects, from Ekamba Nsukara Offot Village in Uyo LGA, were found in possession of a locally made pistol and a jackknife. The police are pursuing other members of the gang, including their alleged armourer.
On January 14, police responded to a distress call in Ikot Idaha, Ibiono Ibom LGA, where a victim was shot. A suspect, Holy Evans Andrew, 32, was later apprehended at Berger Junction, Idoro Road, with a locally made pistol, two live cartridges, and two expended cartridges. The suspect is set to face trial.
Four suspects – Samuel Udo Jack, Israel Peter Udobia, Ndifreke Ndak Umoh, and Benjamin Samuel Udo – were arrested for vandalizing a community transformer in Ibotio Village, Mkpat Enin LGA. Although some suspects escaped with stolen components, the police recovered a fuse and assured residents of ongoing efforts to apprehend the fleeing culprits.
A physically challenged man, Umoh Ubong Udoh, was arrested in Uyo LGA for allegedly selling substances suspected to be Indian hemp to criminals in the area. DSP John expressed shock at the suspect’s involvement, adding that he would soon be charged to court.
DSP John reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for crime, urging residents to report suspicious activities. “The Police are not magicians; incidents must be reported before they can be addressed,” he said. He also cautioned against mob actions, stressing that such actions are illegal.
The PPRO concluded by assuring the public of the Command’s dedication under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, to ensuring the safety and security of all residents in the state.
