The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested six suspected kidnappers and 30 alleged kidnappers in a sweeping clampdown on criminal activities between May and June this year.
They were part of 54 suspected criminals arrested for various offences including vandalising public infrastructure, stealing. Various items and murder with a cache of weapons recovered in the operation.
Baba Mohammed Azare, Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, stated this during a press briefing recently at the State Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia.
Mohammed emphasised that the Command had maintained an “uncompromising operational tempo” to rid the State of criminal networks, adding that the 30 suspected cultists were arrested across multiple local government areas.
According to him, “operatives stormed hideouts in Ntak Inyang, Uyo, Ibesikpo Asutan, Abak, and Mbo, arresting members of secret cults including the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, Black Axe, Kuklux Klan, and Debam confraternity.
“Recovered from these suspects were 18 locally made pistols, machetes, charms, battle axes, and cult regalia.
“Several cultists were also linked to other heinous crimes. In Mbo, one Uwem Edet Eyo aka “Masterly” confessed to the August 2024 kidnap and gruesome murder of three marine hunters, whose bodies were found beheaded and buried in a shallow grave.
“In separate operations, armed robbery suspects were arrested in Uyo, Oruk Anam, Etinan, and other locations.
“Weapons recovered include cut-to-size double barrel guns, locally made pistols, and live cartridges. The police also recovered vehicles, stolen motorcycles, facemasks, and other robbery tools.
“The Command apprehended seven suspected kidnappers during a well-coordinated sting in Oron and Nsit Eket. A Lexus RX 300 SUV and multiple mobile phones were recovered. In another dramatic operation, marine police operatives repelled sea pirates along the Oron–Calabar waterways, rescuing victims and recovering a speedboat fitted with a 200HP Yamaha engine, ammunition, charms, and stolen personal items.”
He revealed a disturbing trend in the theft of public assets, especially electrical infrastructure, school property, and street lighting cables.
” Six suspects were arrested for vandalism, including Salvation Emmanuel Jim, caught red-handed stripping Bishop Clarks Central Primary School in Abak. Recovered items included school furniture, chalk, tools, and training equipment belonging to SUBEB.
“A separate arrest led to the recovery of transformer coils and heavy-duty tools from a mini-bus in Ekparakwa. The driver, Aniekan Clement Timothy, was nabbed while others fled.
“At least four burglary suspects were arrested, including those who broke into a supermarket in Uyo. The police recovered 14 sewing machine heads, a generator, and several household and electronic items stolen from residences.
“Alexander Ben Peter, 29, was arrested in Oruk Anam for the murder of his 71-year-old biological mother, using a machete. The case has sparked outrage and is currently under investigation”, the Commissioner noted.
