Police in Akwa Ibom discovered an armoury in a private mortuary and arrested members of a kidnapping syndicate. Read the full story here.
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has revealed the discovery of an armory at a private mortuary located in Ekeya, Okobo local government area within the state.
On Monday, CP Waheed Ayilara briefed newsmen at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpabio, Uyo. He informed them that operatives had raided a mortuary based on intelligence gathered after the arrest of a kidnapping syndicate.
According to him, a notorious fugitive named Ubong Effiong Archibong, who goes by the nickname “Condiment”, was believed to be the mastermind behind a syndicate responsible for abducting and murdering multiple individuals throughout the state.
“According to him, the Command’s operatives conducted a thorough investigation based on reliable information and successfully retrieved firearms and ammunition that had been utilized by an infamous kidnapping syndicate headed by a wanted kidnapper known as Ubong Effiong Archibong, also referred to as Condiment.”
Several people have been kidnapped and killed by the syndicate responsible for kidnapping.
The firearms in question were found at a private mortuary that was being utilized as an armory in Ekeya, Okobo L.G.A.
The following firearms and ammunition are present: a pair of AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, one double-barrel rifle, one single-barrel rifle; five magazines filled with live rounds and seven separate cartridges.
In addition, the commissioner revealed that Daniel Edem Okon, a 23-year-old man, had been apprehended for hiring an Okada rider from Idoro road to Mbikpon Ikot Edin and then brutally murdering him along a secluded route. After disposing of the victim’s remains in a shallow grave nearby, he absconded with his motorcycle.
At approximately 8:30 pm on December 7th, 2024, while conducting a routine patrol around Timber Market in Uyo, the command’s operatives intercepted two individuals riding an unidentifiable motorcycle. The suspects were identified as Daniel Edem Okon (male; aged twenty-three) and Samaila Salisu (male; aged twenty).
Following intense questioning, the cyclist admitted that he had hired a commercial rider on 11/7/2024 around 9:00pm to travel from Idoro Road to Mbikpon Ikot Edim.
After reaching a deserted region, he mercilessly attacked the rider with a machete until his last breath. Later on, he buried him in an inadequately deep grave and absconded with the motorcycle.
“The corpse of the victim, a 45-year-old male identified as Saviour Anthony Effiong, whose body had decomposed, was dug up and taken to a morgue,” he stated.
Ayilara displayed additional suspects accused of committing different offenses, including kidnapping, rape, trafficking and vandalism. Ayilara emphasized that all the culprits will face prosecution once investigations are concluded.
Expressing his gratitude, he acknowledged the joint efforts of individuals, government entities and other security agencies in combating crime and insecurity. He appealed to all involved parties to continue their diligent work.
