According to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in the second quarter of 2023, 269 individuals were detained in the state on suspicion of murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, rape, and theft.
The command explained that the number was a result of the current government’s pre- and post-inauguration periods, the Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi crises, and the Nwaniba cult conflict.
This was revealed on Friday at the second quarter press briefing of the command held at Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, the capital of Akwa Ibom State, by the state’s commissioner of police, CP Olatoye Durosinmi.
The commissioner stated that one Prince Thursday Okon, a former domestic employee of a vice chancellor in a state-run private school who was fired due to his illegal activities, was among the individuals apprehended.
He claimed that Okon, together with Saviour Sunday Luke and Richard Friday, two other gang members from Ikot Ebam Village in the Mkpat Enin LGA, reportedly planned the kidnapping of his old boss, the VC, as he was traveling home.
He added that the Toyota Corolla used for the operation was also recovered, noting that N1.27 million in cash was discovered as part of the ransom payment and N200,000 was left in one of the suspect’s account. He also claimed that the VC has been reunited with his family.
The commissioner also revealed that a man named Aniekan James of the Ukanafun Local Government’s Ikot Ndot village had been detained for shooting his 35-year-old only son when they were exchanging words.
“One Odudu Aniekan James, suspected to be a habitual murderer who has committed murders in Lagos and Aba, Abia State, was arrested,” stated Durosinmi.
Additionally, he stated that the Command’s Quick Response Squad detained a suspected ritualist, one Edu Udeme Ime of Mbak Etoi Village, Uyo, at Urua Ekpa junction for having a human skull in his possession. He claimed that the suspect was unable to provide any justification for having the skull but did identify their ring leader, who is also a suspected ritualist.
Durosinmi claimed that the command had detained five more alleged members of the violent Nwaniba cult conflict, which claimed lives in May.
Kemfon Inyang Imeh, also known as Laptop, Horgan Edem Obongedem, also known as Eburutu, Brown Uduak Emmanuel, also known as Spunky, Godwin Effiong Okon, also known as Buy and Buy, and Sunday Udofia, also known as Ikang Inwang, the Native Doctor who crafts their charms, were all detained, he continued.
The state police command expressed gratitude to the Akwa Ibom State Government and other sister organizations for their assistance and effective teamwork in reducing crime in the state, and made a commitment to continue offering the best policing services possible in accordance with global best practices.
