The Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom Command has rescued four kidnapped victims including a woman, who faked her own kidnap and arrested 52 other suspects for various crimes.
Some of the offences included murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, child trafficking, cultism and fraud committed in the state within the last one month.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, CP Waheed Ayilara, disclosed this while addressing his maiden press conference in Uyo on Friday after he assumed duty recently said one of the rescued victims, Imaobong Sampson (f) of Nung Oku Village in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, who arranged her kidnap and demanded N4m from family members were arrested by operatives of the command.
“On March 11, 2024, at 1000hrs, a report was received from one Enobong Sampson that her sister Imaobong Sampson Francis Sampson was kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding N4 million as ransom.
“As a result, operatives of Anti kidnapping squad of the Command embarked on an intense and intelligence-driven operation, to track down the perpetrators and rescue the victim.
“On March 12, 2024, at about 2315hrs the said purported victim, one Imaobong Sampson and her boyfriend, Beltus Ebong, were arrested in a hideout at Mbierebe Obio, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
“She confessed to having conspired with her boyfriend, Beltus and three others to proclaim her kidnap to raise money from her aunt, who is based abroad,” Ayilara said.
The CP added that within the period, on March 13, based on intelligence, the operatives of the command arrested one Okon Edet (m) of Uruting village in Okobo LGA for killing his father, Chief Okon Edet aged 75, of the same address by beating him mercilessly machete, leading to his death.
Edet alleged that the late father had sold all the parcels of land he had, including the one that he gave to him to build his house as the reason for his action.
Read also: Stakeholders kick against Ohaukwu LG Boss’s 2nd term
Ayilara further said that on March 8, the operatives of anti robbery squad of the command arrested one Akanimo Akpan of Efa Ayam village in Etinan LGA, who was involved in adulterated fruits drinks and other products.
He added that also on March 8, at about 1600hrs, one Akan Edet was arrested for using Point Of Sale (POS) to defraud innocent citizens and was to be set ablaze but was rescued by operatives of COMPOL Monitoring Unit.
He added that most of those Akan Edet defrauded have identified him and the sum of N350,000 cash was recovered from him at the time of arrest.
The commissioner assured that all the suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded.
Ayilara assured the good people of Akwa Ibom that he will work with stakeholders to set up strategies that will address contemporary security challenges.
“Let me assure Akwa Ibom people that the Command under my watch will collaborate with stakeholders in harnessing available resources to ensure that the State continues to remain the most peaceful,” he said.
