By Joe Effiong, Uyo
The perceived spike in criminal activities in Akwa Ibom State has been blamed on cult and communal clashes in Uyo, Ikot Abasi, and Eastern Obolo Local Government Areas of the state.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Olatoye Duroshinmi, disclosed this at a second-quarter press briefing at the state Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo on Friday.
He said police command had arrested 269 suspects for alleged murder, kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, rape, and stealing between April and June 1, 2023. Some of the suspects, he said, had been charged to court, while others were still under investigation.
He listed some of the cases including that of the vice-chancellor of a private university in the state who was kidnapped on his way home.
He narrated: “Two days later, being the 16th, in a prompt and discreet investigation, operatives of the anti-kidnapping squad of the command, arrested one Prince Thursday Okon, a former domestic staff of the VC, sacked because of his criminal tendencies, who masterminded the kidnapping and two of his gang members, Saviour Sunday Luke and Richard Friday, all of Ikot Ebam Village in Mkpat Enin LGA.
“The sum of one million, two hundred and seventy thousand naira cash was recovered as part of the ransom paid, while two hundred and fifty thousand naira was left in one of the suspect’s accounts.
The Toyota Corolla used for the operation was also recovered. The VC has been reunited with his family.”
A case of murder, according to the police Commissioner, was that of one Aniekan James of Ikot Ndot village in Ukanafun L.G.A who was arrested by Ukanafun Division for shooting his 35-year-old only Son who has been having a war of words with him.
He said one Odudu Aniekan James was suspected to be a habitual murderer who had committed murders in Lagos and Aba Abia States.
Explaining further the arrest of five suspected cultists, he said: “On 13/6/2023 about 10:30am, five additional suspected cultists involved in the Nwaniba brutal cult clash which led to the loss of lives in the month of May were arrested after a painstaking investigation.
“The following were arrested; Kemfon Inyang Imeh a.k.a Laptop, Horgan Edem Obongedem a.k.a Eburutu, Brown Uduak Emmanuel a.k.a Spunky, Godwin Effiong Okon a.k.a Buy and Buy, Sunday Udofia a.k.a Ikang Inwang – The Native Doctor who prepares their charms.”
While thanking the Akwa Ibom State government and other sister agencies for the support and robust synergy in fighting crime in the state, the state police command pledged to remain committed to providing the best policing services for the people of the state in line with international best practices.