Akwa Ibom: 269 Suspects Nabbed For Murder, kidnapping, Others

By Sola Omoniyi, Lagos

The Akwa Ibom state police command announced on Friday that it had arrested 269 suspects in the state for various crimes, including murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, rape, and theft.

The number of arrests was attributed to the pre-and post-inauguration periods of the present government, the Eastern Obolo and Ikot Abasi crises, and the Nwaniba cult clash.

Among the suspects arrested was Prince Thursday Okon, a former domestic staff of a vice chancellor in a private school in the state.

Okon was sacked for his criminal activities, but he continued to engage in crime, including kidnapping.

He was arrested along with two of his gang members for kidnapping his former boss, the VC, while he was on his way home.

The police recovered N1.27 million in cash as part of the ransom paid, and they also recovered the Toyota Corolla that was used in the kidnapping. The VC has since been reunited with his family.

Another suspect arrested was Aniekan James, who shot and killed his 35-year-old son during an argument. James is a habitual murderer who has also committed murders in Lagos and Aba, Abia State.

The police also arrested a suspected ritualist, Edu Udeme Ime, for having a human skull. Ime could not give a reasonable explanation for why he had the skull, but he named his ringleader, who is another suspected ritualist.

Five additional suspected cultists were arrested for their involvement in the brutal Nwaniba cult clash, which led to the loss of lives in May. The suspects are Kemfon Inyang Imeh, Horgan Edem Obongedem, Brown Uduak Emmanuel, Godwin Effiong Okon, and Sunday Udofia.

The police command thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government and other sister agencies for their support in fighting crime in the state.

The command pledged to remain committed to providing the best policing services for the people of the state in line with international best practices.