Newsfront Online …Telling the Public as it is
… Vows to make the State uncomfortable to Criminals
Gentlemen of the press,
On assumption of duty, I promised the good people of Akwa Ibom State that I will interface with them on a regular basis as we partner in fighting crime to a standstill in the State. Today, I am happy to welcome you as worthy ambassadors of your profession and critical stakeholders in the Akwa Ibom State security project. Within the last few months, I have reappraised the security architecture of the Command in order to effectively police the State and bring crime and criminalities to the barest minimum. I am aware that much more is desired of us, hence, I am calling the good people of Akwa Ibom State to be more vigilant and utilize our hotlines in reporting crimes and criminalities promptly as we have further increased our response capacity and are now closer to the people. Below are a few of our noble achievements:-
ARREST OF MURDER SUSPECT:
On 7/3/2020 at about 7:20am, following a tip-off that one Cecilia Isong ‘f’, aged 82yrs of Oku Abak, Abak Local Government Area went to farm to harvest cassava in company of her grandson, one Kingsley Emmanuel ‘m’, that the said Kingsley took some harvested cassava to the house, on returning to the farm, he met the headless body of the said Cecilia Isong in the farm, Operatives of Abak Division in collaboration with the youth cordoned the farm where nine suspects including the principal suspect, one Lucky Michael ‘m’ were arrested. During interrogation, the said Lucky Michael confessed his involvement in the crime and led the detectives to his house where the deceased severed head was recovered. Investigation is in progress.
RESCUE OF ABDUCTED VICTIM:
Following intelligence on 11/2/2020 at about 2000hrs that one Ekpono-Abasi G. Eduok ‘f’, aged 20yrs, a student of University of Uyo (UNIUYO) was given a lift along Aka Road, by unknown men who later diverted her to a bush and demanded for fifty thousand naira (N50, 000) ransom before she will regain her freedom, a combined team of Anti-Kidnapping Squad and Eleme Area Command Patrol team traced the victim to a bush in Port-Harcourt on 12/2/2020 at about 1130hrs, and combed the isolated bush near GVC bus stop in Eleme where the victim was rescued unhurt. Suspects on noticing Police presence abandoned the victim and escaped to nearby forest. Victim has since been reunited with her parents.
Also, following a tip-off on 30/10/2019, about vicious attacks on traders and market women at Anakpa, Ntit Ukpoo in Uruan Local Government Area and its environs by hoodlums, Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad mounted surveillance and arrested one Joshua Okon Archibong ‘m’ of Ekpene Ibia village in Uruan Local Government Area on 14/11/2019. On-the-spot search of suspect’s house led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and seven live cartridges. Follow-up investigation led to arrest of other notorious armed robbers and secret cult members namely, Effiom Etim Effiong, Julius James Akpan, Peter Ita Inyang, Edet Bassey Etim a.k.a “Commander”, Samuel Effiong Bassey a.k.a “Abacha and Eyo Nelson Ottoh, all male of Uruan Local Government Area. Other items recovered from suspects are, one flat screen television, two small generators, one locally made pistol with eleven cartridges, and substances suspected to be charm.
Similarly, on 12/12/2019 at about 3pm, acting on intelligence, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad proceeded to St. Thomas RCM Primary School, Ekpene Ukim, Uruan Local Government Area and arrested one Nse U. James ‘f’ of Nung Uyo Idoro village for attempting to abduct school children to unknown place. Instant search of her bag led to recovery of several children’s clothes. On interrogation, she confessed to have abducted/sold several children in the past, as well as her own three days old baby for three hundred thousand naira (N300,000.00) to one Love Okereafor ‘f’ and Ifeoma Ibe ‘f’, both of Abia State sometime in 2018. Suspect led Operatives to Abia State where Love Okereafor ‘f’ of Nkanu-Ishiala Ngwa Local Government Area and Ifeoma Ibe ‘f’ of No. 142 Aba/Owerri Road, both in Abia State were arrested, and child of about one year was rescued from them. Suspects confessed being active traffickers of children for years. Suspects charged to court.
ARREST OF CHILD TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE/RECOVERY OF A WEEK OLD BABY: 
On 9/3/2020 at about 9pm, following a distress call, Operatives of Family Unit proceeded to Ifa Atai village and arrested one Comfort Edet Effiong ‘f’, aged 42yrs, a traditional birth attendant, on allegation by one Stella Francis Edet ‘f’, aged 26yrs of Okopedi village, Okobo Local Government Area that she went to Sapodic Clinic, Ukanafun in 2018 where one Dr. Saturday Aaron gave her injection for pregnancy which caused her womb to swell-up. That she received a call on 9/3/2020 from one Mfon ‘f’, other names unknown now at large, that she was due for delivery. However, on getting to the delivery home, the traditional birth attendant gave her an injection on her lap to prevent her from feeling pains, and thereafter told her to lie on the floor. After a while, she noticed that the birth attendant covered her face with wrapper, used razor to cut her pelvis, and thereafter brought a baby claiming that she delivered the baby. That she raised alarm that she was not the mother of the child and fight ensued between both of them. Investigation revealed that Mrs. Stella paid the traditional birth attendant the sum of eight hundred thousand naira (N800, 00.00) for delivery. Comfort Edet Effiong ‘f’, the traditional birth attendant in her statement admitted the crime, stating that she gave the eight hundred thousand naira (N800, 00.00) to Mfon who is still at large. On the basis of investigation, operatives proceeded to Ukanafun where Dr. Saturday Aaron was arrested, along with his two staff namely, Imoh Johnny Eyop ‘f’, aged 29yrs and Janet Sunday Emmanuel ‘f’, aged 28yrs; and recovered substance suspecte d to be concoction used in administering to women for false pregnancy.
ARREST OF CULT MEMBERS: 
Relying on intelligence on 18/2/2020 at about 11am, Operatives of the Command raided a black spot suspected to be the rendezvous of notorious cultists along Udo Udoma traffic light, off Oron Road, Uyo and arrested one Ogonna Dickson ‘m’ and Njoku Chidi ‘m’, both of Ebonyi State, but residing at Ibiaku Ishiet village in Uruan L. G. Area. During interrogation, suspects confessed being members of Vikings confraternity.
Similarly, following a distress call on 5/3/2020 at about 4am, that some hoodlums suspected to be cultists attacked one Christopher Ekop Elijah ‘m’ of Mbioroku, Ikot Oku Ikono in Uyo Local Government Area, Operatives of ‘D’ Division proceeded to the scene and met the victim in a pool of blood from gunshot injury. He was rushed to University of Uyo Teaching Hospital where he was confirmed dead. Premise on the incident, Operatives were deployed for intelligence gathering which led to arrest of one Ukpono Friday Ndarake ‘m’ of Ndiya Ikot Akpa Edok in Ikono Local Government Area, Ubong Awanabasi Udo and Emmanuel Ita Etim, all male of Ikot Oku Ikono village in Uyo Local Government Area in connection with the crime. Investigation is ongoing.
Also, Relying on intelligence on 23/2/2020 at about 12:10am, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Uyo arrested an expelled student of University of Uyo, one Otobong B. Udo ‘m’ of Idoro Road, Uyo, aged 28yrs in a hut along Nwanaiba road by UNIUYO permanent site for armed robberies and secret cult activities. During interrogation, suspect confessed initiating several students into cultism and his involvement in a robbery in the UNIUYO female hostels including an attempt to forcefully initiate one Dickson Ekemini ‘m’, aged 17yrs, student of University of Uyo into Vikings confraternity and mentioned his accomplices. Premise on the confession, Operatives swung into action and arrested one Simeon Umoh ‘m’ of Nelson Mandela Street, Uyo who confessed being Ring Leader of Vikings confraternity in Ifa Clan/Oron Road axis, Uyo. He also confessed his involvement in robbery and raping of female students at University of Uyo female hostels in December, 2019.
ARREST OF ARMED ROBBERY/SECRET CULT SUSPECT AND ROCOVERY OF FIREARM:
Following arrest and interrogation of one Isaac E. Edem a.k.a “Mkpoediba” ‘m’ 24/2/2020, he confessed to the crime of Armed Robbery/Car Snatching and led Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad, Uyo to Nna Enin Village in Uruan Local Government Area and Mbak Etoi village in Uyo where one Bassey E. Edet ‘m’, Peter E. Okon ‘m’ and Iboro Aniedi ‘m’ were arrested. During interrogation, suspects confessed membership of dreaded secret cult groups involved in heinous crimes within Uyo and its environ; and also mentioned their accomplices. Following the confession, Operatives swung into action on 2/3/2020 and arrested one Ette-Obong B. Udo ‘m’ and Godwin M. Wilson ‘m’ both of Idu Uruan in Uruan Local Government Area. On interrogation, they confessed to offences of Cultism, Child Stealing and Robberies in and around Uruan Local Government Area. Instant search led to recovery of one locally made pistol with six rounds of live cartridges, one HP Laptop, Two Qlink motorbikes, one SUMEC generating set, decorated weird looking bottles with liquid contents and rusted rings and powder suspected to be bulletproof/disappearance charms.
Also, Based on a tip-off on 24/2/2020 at about 10am, Operatives of SARS arrested a 2-man gang of armed robbers, namely, Anietie Moses Okon ‘m’ and Edwin Edet Effiong ‘m’ with severe body injuries sustained during armed robbery operation in Aba, Abia State and recovered one unregistered tricycle and three locally made pistols with two expended cartridges from them. On interrogation, suspects confessed their involvement in several armed robbery operations within Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Abia States.
In the same vein, on 20/11/2019 at about 2:44pm, following a distress call, Operatives proceeded to Mbiabong Ikot Antem village, Uyo and arrested one Ifiok Okon Etim ‘m’ a.k.a “Rude Boy” ‘m’ and Anthony Aniedi Nyong a.k.a “Airport” ‘m’ who forced one Simeon Sylvester Eyo ‘m’ of Ifa Ikot Okpon village, Uyo into an uncompleted building at Mbiabong Ikot Antem village, Uyo, assaulted him and robbed him of an infinix android phone valued thirty-two thousand naira (N32,000.00) and cash of two thousand naira (N2,000.00). During interrogation, suspects confessed their involvement in robberies and cult activities within the Metropolis. One electric iron and small generating set were recovered from the suspects.
Also, based on confession from an armed robbery suspect, one Aniefiok O. Akpan ‘m’ on 11/1/2020 at about 1am, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad proceeded to Ikot Ekep village, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, raided a hideout and arrested a most wanted kidnap and armed robbery kingpin, one Abraham U. Kofi a.k.a “General” ‘m’, Mfon I. John ‘m’ and Promise U. Kofi ‘m’, all of Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. On interrogation, suspects confessed membership of Vikings secret cult group who have committed series of heinous crimes in Mkpat Enin and its environs. The Kingpin, Abraham Kofi led team of Operatives to Port-Harcourt where one sienna car was recovered. Suspects arraigned in court.
Similarly, on 3/2/2020, following a tip-off, one Ubong M. William ‘m’, aged 28yrs of Ikot Ambon, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area who has been on AKS wanted list for violent attacks/robbery of residents and shop owners in Ikot Ambon village and Nung Udoe roundabout was arrested. During interrogation he confessed membership of Lion confraternity. Similarly, on 7/2/2020 at about 5pm, based on reliable intelligence, Operatives monitored and arrested one Kingsley O. Edet, aged 26yrs and John E. Jimmy a.k.a “DJ Freshboy”, aged 26yrs, both male of Owotuta village, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. On interrogation, suspects confessed membership of Lion confraternity. Also, on 16/2/2020 at about 2:30am, following credible intelligence, Detectives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad raided an identified black spot at Ikot Udo Ekop village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, where one James I. Effiong a.k.a “Bicycle” ‘m’, Blessing E. Edet a.k.a “Capsule” ‘m’, Aniekan G. Thomas a.k.a “Wizkid” ‘m’, Ubong O. Akpan a.k.a “Skylee” ‘m’, all of Ikot Udo Ekop village in Ibesikpo. During interrogation, suspects confessed membership of Vikings secret cult group and their involvement in armed robberies and other heinous crimes. In a related development, on 9/3/2020 at about 9pm, based on intelligence that suspected cultists converged at a hideout along Aka/Nung Udoe Road, by Ring Road before proceeding to attack residents and pedestrians, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad immediately raided the hideout and arrested one Felix Ekpo ‘m’ of Nung Ukana village and Ifiok E. Eshiet ‘m’ of Nung Oku village, both in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. During interrogation, suspects confessed membership of Iceland and Klans confraternity who disguised as taskforce members to attack residents within Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area and its environs.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED DRUG BARONS:
Following intelligence on 18/2/2020, Operatives of Anti-Narcotic Section raided an illegal drug joint at No. 4 Ekpenyong close, off Idoro Road, Uyo where one Christiana Udoudo Akpan ‘f’ of No.4 Ekpenyong close, Uyo and Johnson Ettudo Brownson ‘m’ of Atai Obio Offot, Uyo were arrested. Exhibits recovered are, three (3) 50kg sack bags containing dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, a bag of seeds suspected to be Indian hemp, a green PMF beret, PMF uniform, one Police baton, one dagger, one sword, two machetes.
ARREST OF FRAUDSTER/RECOVERY OF THIRTEEN (13) VEHICLES:
Acting a complaint in February, 2019, SARS Operatives, Uyo arrested one Umoh Uko Archibong ‘m’ of Nung Oku, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, a businessman who operate under the pretence of supplying sands at VKS Construction Company for the construction of 21-storey building at Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo and defrauded unsuspected members of the public of hundreds of million naira by using agents to perpetrate the fraudulent act in partnership with Umohtech Global Enterprise, situates at No. 48 Aka/Etinan Road, Uyo. During investigation, seventeen suspects were further arrested in connection with the crime, and thirteen (13) vehicles recovered.
ARREST OF ABDUCTION SUSPECT/RESCUE OF VICTIM:
On 17/2/2020 at about 8pm, based on a tip-off that one Ndubuisi Romanus ‘m’ of Imo State, but residing at Atiamkpat village, Itu Local Government Area was sighted forcefully dragging a minor into his vehicle boot, Operatives of Anti-Kidnapping Squad in collaboration with the youth responded swiftly, and arrested the suspect and rescued the victim.
ARREST OF WANTED NOTORIOUS ARMED ROBBERS:
Following armed robbery incident on 26/2/2020 at about 8pm, against one David Okon Luke ‘m’ and Israel Godslove Cyril ‘m’ of Ikot Abia Okon village, Eket Local Government Area by seven man gang of armed robbers where four GSM phones were carted away, SARS Operatives swung into action and arrested one Essien Daniel Thompson a.k.a “Exodus”, Ubong Francis Etuk, Obot Samuel Sunday and Gideon Stephen Edon, all male, and recovered two of the phones. Suspects confessed to the crime.
Similarly, on 8/3/2020 at about 8:30pm, based on a distress call that armed robbers attacked one Emmanuel Okon Bassey ‘m’ of Ikot Odu village, Essien Udim Local Government Area, Operatives swung into action, arrested one Ability Isong Eno ‘m’ and recovered one locally made revolver pistol with one live .9mm ammunition. Suspect confessed to the crime.
ATTEMPTED MURDER/RECOVERY OF LOCALLY MADE PISTOL:
On 5/3/2020 at about 10:30pm, based on a distress call, that one Ifiok Emmanuel Ekanem ‘m’ of Ekpenyong Ufom village, Essien Udim Local Government Area invaded a shop belonging to one Akaninyene Sunday Tom ‘m’ of the same address with a locally made pistol, attempted to shoot the victim but missed his target, and also brought a dagger to stab the victim before the victim was rescued by his younger brother, SARS Operatives swung into action and arrested the suspect and recovered one locally made pistol. Suspect confessed to crime.
ARREST OF SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS/RECOVERY OF VEHICLE:
Based on a tip-off on 6/1/2020 at about 4:40pm, that a 5-man armed robbery gang who specializes in car snatching within Rivers and Akwa Ibom States were sighted in Mkpat Enin, SARS Operatives proceeded to Mkpat Enin Local Government Area and arrested one Roland Joseph Ufot ‘m’ and Mbosowo Joseph Ufot ‘m’, all of Asong village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area. Instant search led to recovery of one Toyota Camry car with Reg. No. APP 71 FM and one double barrel locally made pistol. Investigation revealed that the recovered Toyota Camry was robbed from Sunday Sylvester Udo ‘m’ by the suspects on 25/12/2019.
The above achievements would not have been possible without the partnership we had enjoyed from the good people of Akwa Ibom State who have been given useful information to the Police. I thank the Government of Akwa Ibom State, sister security agencies, the media and the ever vigilant and vibrant loving people of Akwa Ibom State for all the support. Let me assure you, that we will not relent in our fight against crimes and criminality and will stop at nothing in improving and sustaining the peace and security of the State. I enjoin the good people of Akwa Ibom State to continue to collaborate with Police authorities by calling or sending text messages to the following dedicated hot lines domiciled at the Citizens Complaint established by the Commissioner of Police in December, 2019 on assumption of duty in Akwa Ibom State as the Commissioner of Akwa Ibom.
The phone numbers are:
- 07031823963, 07019358767, 09028528344, 09020047718, 09034151445, 09070512365, 09063143039, 08137607100, 090660955467, 09039515967
I thank you.
CSP N-NUDAM K. FREDRICK, POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
For: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AKWA IBOM STATE
BEING TEXT O PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AKWA IBOM STATE POLICE COMMAND, CP IMOHIMI EDGAL, HELD ON THURSDAY 12TH MARCH, 2020 AT THE STATE HEADQUARTERS, IKOT AKPAN ABIA, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE
