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From Isaac Job, Uyo
Akwa Police Command said it has rescued seven victims of human of trafficking and arrested four suspects while successfully dismantled the syndicates’ network in border coastal communities in the state .
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in Akwa Ibom DSP Timfon John and available to journalists in Uyo stated that the operation was facilitated through credible intelligence which alerted the command to mobilized a patrol team to conduct stop and search along Ikot Ekpene-Aba express road and intercepted a vehicle conveying people suspected to be human traffickers driving to Aba in Abia state.
The statement reads in parts :” Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Command have successfully dismantled a human trafficking syndicate operating within the state, leading to the rescue of four victims and the arrested of four suspects involved in the criminal network.
“Acting on credible intelligence on 13th March, 2026 at about 0800 hours, police operatives swiftly mobilized a patrol team to conduct a coordinated stop-and-search operation along Ikot Ekpene – Aba Road following reports that a vehicle conveying young persons suspected to be victims of human trafficking.
John said during the operation, the suspected vehicle was intercepted and seven victims were immediately rescued, while the suspect conveying them was arrested and taken into custody for interrogation.
She said further investigation and interrogation of the suspect led to the extension of the operation to Itam and Ibaka in Oron Local Government Area, where three additional victims were rescued and three more suspects apprehended, bringing the total number of rescued victims to seven and suspects arrested to four.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the trafficking syndicate specialises in recruiting and transporting young persons across borders for exploitation.
“Intelligence gathered further disclosed that one of the ring leaders had earlier escaped through the waterways from Ibaka in Oron to Cameroon and Gabon with some victims.”
She listed the suspects as Udeme Jacob (F), 20 years , from Mbo LGA, Effiong Ekop (M) from Ibiono Ibom LGA, John Okon (M) Mbo LGA and Ndukwe Ogbonnaya (F) Bende LGA, Abia State.
John disclosed that investigation was ongoing while suspects while will be charged to court .
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reiterates its commitment to combating human trafficking and other forms of organized crime, and assures members of the public that efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
“Residents are encouraged to remain vigilant and provide timely information to the police to aid in protecting vulnerable persons and strengthening community safety” .
