Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
Smoke Them Out – CP Charges Police
Residents Burst Into High Jubilation, Thank Police
By our Correspondent
Thursday the 28th day in the Month of April was a jubilation galour by residents and citizens of Ikot Ada Idem, Ikot Akpabio, Use Ntuen, Okobo Ibiono and Ikot Ambang, all in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, part of Itu, Ikot Ekpene and Uyo local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State when the news of arrest of a notorious criminal gang led by Malachi Friday Uwem by great and garland men of the Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom State Command.
The said Malachi who was like a nightmare and broad day light terror who was reportedly got into people’s houses, shops collect money at gun point and walked away freely, any attempt to lay hold of him, he will disappeared and according to residents of these communities, any group discussion that his name is mentioned, he will appear in the midst of those people discussing him and kill them at will.
According to residents of Use Ntuen and Okobo who spoke to Century Newsfront said that the notorious gang leader used to brag that he want to kill 500 people but as at two weeks ago, he has killed close to a hundred plus and that nobody will be able to harm or molest him, not even security operatives will be able to arrest him as he, according to him, is higher above all.
Residents of those areas who spoke to Century Newsfront expressed joy over the feats by the Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police Force and appreciated the Police Commissioner, CP Andrew Amiengheme for taking courage in rooting for this criminal gang, “we are very happy, infact, may God bless the Commissioner of Police and all Policemen and women in Akwa Ibom because they have saved us, we were leaving in fear, Malachi has killed many people in these our communities, it was as if there was no way out because he used to tell us that there is nobody that is higher than him and that he can do anything anytime and anywhere”.
Century Newsfront also gathered that many indigenes of the areas had already relocated for fear of their dear lives. This Paper had earlier reported that the Paramount Ruler of Ibiono Ibom local government area, His Royal Majesty, Edidem Okuku (Dr.) Ime Udousoro Inyang had on a consistent base raised alarm over the notoriety of Malachi and the need for security agents to do their work.
Breaking the news of the arrest of the criminal gang in a release dated 28th April, 2022, with reference number: AZ:5300/AIS/PPRD/VOL.5/69, christened, “GAME OVER FOR A NOTORIOUS WANTED MURDERER/ARMED ROBBER, THREE (3) GANG MEMBERS” signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, Sp Odiko Macdon (anipr) and made available to Century Newsfront, the Police press release reads,
“In the last six months, the Residents of Use Ntuen, Okobo Ibiono and Ikot Ambang in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Itu and Ikot Ekpene local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State and part of Uyo have lived in palpable fear of a dreaded serial killer and armed robber, one Malachi Friday Uwem ‘m’, 24yrs old. The said Malachi and gang have killed over 15 persons and has left some of his victims permanently maimed, some presently in hospitals, while others are counting their losses from his barbaric robbery acts, which has led to the closing of many businesses, especially POS, in these places.
It would be recalled that on 20/2/22, the notorious armed Robber and serial killer robbed and shot one Miss Lovina Eze Chiwendu, a Youth Corper at Ikot Ambang and made away with her iphone, ATM card and the sum of Seven Thousand Naira, she died last week at Enugu Teaching Hospital. Also, on 21/2/22, the suspect robbed and killed a lady teacher returning from school at Okobo Ibiono who had stopped over at a POS shop; this resulted to a protest by Youths of the area who blocked the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Expressway. Furthermore, on 5/3/22, one Mrs Idongesit Damson was shot and killed in her house at Okobo Ibiono by the suspect; he also shot one Wisdom, whice also led to a protest and blockage of the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Expressway. Several POS shops and filling stations have been robbed by the suspect and his gang at Okobo Ibiono, Itak axis and Uyo. Only recently, on Monday, 25th April, he shot and killed two young men on the grounds that the village couldn’t meet his demand of twenty (20m) Million Naira but were only able to raise five million (5m) Naira.
On assumption of duty as the 30th Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Andrew Amiengheme, Psc+, fdc, vowed to spare no resources in ridding the state of criminal elements like Malachi and their gang members. Therefore, on the marching order and close supervision of the CP, today April 28th, 2022 at about 0300hrs, in a painstaking operation, Operatives of Special Weapons And Tactics Squad (SWAT) of the Command led by CSP Julian Igbudu, traced the hoodlums to their hideouts at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Government Area Of Cross River State, the said Malachi Friday Uwem, his second in command Wisdom Sunday Akpan ‘m’, 31 years, Ndifreke Sunday Ebong ‘m’ 20yrs, and Annansia Umoh ‘m’ 33yrs resisted arrest and engaged the Operatives in a gun duel, and in the ensuing milieu, three of the gang members were fatally injured while attempting to escape. Exhibits Recovered are: (a)One Cut to Size Pump Action Gun (b)One Locally made Pistol (c) A large number of cartridges (d) One Gas Head with a resemblance of a Gun (e) Assorted types of charms.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State is thankful and congratulates the personnel of SWAT, other Tactical Teams, the Government, the Intelligence community, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State. He emphatically warned that Akwa Ibom State can never be safe a haven for hoodlums as the command under his watch will continue to spare no resources in bringing perpetrators to book. Those involved in any form of heinous crimes in the state have therefore been warned to relocate from the state or be smoked out as there will be no hiding place henceforth”.
