Police arrest ‘notorious kidnapper’, recovers arms, youth corper raper, others in Akwa Ibom 

Stanley Ihedigbo

Operative of Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested, Ubong Effiong Archibong a.k.a Condiment, a notorious kidnapper, recovered arms, national youth corper raper and other crime suspects.

In a press briefing by the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Waheed Ayilara, said that they have adopted new strategies in fighting evolving crimes and criminalities in order to ensure that Akwa Ibom State is stable and remains one of the most peaceful States in the country.

“Our adopted strategies have yielded positive results and we have some  operational breakthroughs, which includes, the arrest of notorious kidnapping syndicate led by a wanted kidnapper, Archibong a.k.a Condiment. The operatives of the Command through credible information and a painstaking investigation recovered firearms and ammunitions the kidnappers . The kidnapping syndicate is responsible for the kidnapping and killing of several persons.

“The said firearms were recovered at a private mortuary being used as the armoury at Ekeya, Okobo Local Government Area (L.G.A.).  The firearms are,  two  AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, one  double barrel rifle, one  single barrel rifle, five  magazines and seven live ammunitions,” he said.

The CP further said on 20/7/2024 , a National Youth Service Corps member residing at Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim reported that one Paul Samuel Edu 44yrs (her landlord’s son) came knocking at her door.

“That on opening the door, the said Paul brandished her with a machete, 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. Suspect was arrested, one matchete and a slaughter knife was recovered from him. Investigation is ongoing. Also, 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 suspects.

“The suspects are, Engr. Udofia Jonah, 56; Ekerette David Sunday, 30; Ukpe Aniebiet Ita, 25; Moses Ita Etim, 26;Inyene Joseph James; Ekaette I. Nkrok, 42; and Aniefiok John Friday, 27 as well as recovered 61 armoured doors and 42 timbers which were to be conveyed out of the State. Also, through credible intelligence and discreet investigation, operatives of the Command arrested one Ugwem Ijah Nteilie, 24; Frank Frank, 25; Morris Possible, 21 and Nura Idris, 26, for burglary and stealing of Eastern Obolo General Hospital equipments.

“Items recovered from the suspects include are, seven  air conditioners compressors, three  plasma televisions, three  refrigerators, seven  compressors from stolen fridges, three  plasma television sets and one refrigerator. Effort is ongoing to recover other stolen items. The command also  through intelligence led operation, 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.

“The suspects are,  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 Akwa Ibom State. A Nissan Premera vehicle, one Gasoline Oxygen and spanners were recovered from them,” he explained.

The CP added that the suspects have confessed to the crime and admitted that they are responsible for vandalizing different transformers in Ojor village, MTN Communication Mast located at Efemibon village and Airtel Comm.

“Also the 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,19; Melon Selitima, 22;  and Abdul Abubbakar, 22.  A bag containing high tension cables was recovered from the suspects. Suspects will have their day in court.

“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, 20;  Saviour Etim Bassey, 24;  Emem Christopher Charles,  23;  Elijah Solomon Obot,  21 and Etiuwem Christian Etim, 22;  all of Uyo L.G.A. Further investigation led to the recovery of one locally made pistol, one sumer- fire man SPG4000E2 generator, two  LG flat screen television, Three  LG speakers, one  Zinox laptop, one  6KG gas cyclinder, one  Gionee phone, one  Huawei phone, one  Tecno android phone and one Tecno button phone.

“Suspects have confessed to the crime and stated that they are about 15 members in their syndicate. Effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate. On 12/7/2024 , operatives of the command on routine patrol accosted two suspects one Daniel Edem Okon, 23 and Samaila Salisu, 20 on a Motorcycle without Identification Number along Timber Market, Uyo. After rigorous interrogation, the rider confessed that on 11/7/2024, 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 matchete.

“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, 45, has been exhumed and deposited at a Morgue. On the 5/7/2024, 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 of suspects, one Wisdom Jacob Udom and one Timothy Edem Ekpenyong , were arrested. Both suspects confessed to be members of Vikings Confraternity. A motorcycle and matchetes used for their modus operandi were recovered,” he further explained.

The Akwa Ibom State Police boss, stated that on 15/7/2024,  based on actionable intelligence, one Mrs. Eunice Eze, 56, was arrrested for running a baby factory at World Bank Estate in owerri.

“The suspect specializes in stealing babies and pregnant women from Akwa Ibom State through her agent one Ability Henry Tom. 10 pregnant women were rescued. Inclusion, let me on behalf of the Command appreciate the Government for the support, Sister Security Agencies and good spirited members of the public whose credible and timely information have led to these achievements,” he said.