The newly appointed police boss in Akwa Ibom State, Commissioner of Police, JOSEPH O. ERIBO, has recorded nine major crackdowns on criminal activities in the state.
Recall that top cop took over the State Police Command on September 14, 2024 following the death of the former CP, Waheed Ayilara.
The new police helmsman Eribo disclosed the 9-day successes over criminal activities in the oil-rich state during his first press briefing today in Uyo.
In a statement made available to The Frontier this afternoon by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) Timfon John, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), some of the busted criminal activities include: Rescue of hostages, arrest of kidnap and murder suspects/recovery of firearms; Unlawful possession of firearm and arrest of suspects; Child stealing; Arrest of child trafficking suspects; Arrest of fake kidnapped suspects; Conspiracy/armed robbery suspects; Impersonation, and; Armed robbery/cultism/attack on police patrol team.
Read the full statement below:
PRESS BRIEFING BY THE AKWA IBOM STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE CP JOSEPH O. ERIBO (psc) HELD ON MONDAY, 30th SEPTEMBER 2024
Distinguished gentlemen of the Press, I am delighted to be in your midst this morning to address you on some of the successes and achievements of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for the period I assumed duty as Commissioner of Police.
This meeting will avail me the opportunity to know you, and also to solicit for your support and cooperation in the discharge of my responsibilities as the Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State.
Gentlemen, on my part, I will fully cooperate and support you, I will make sure you are given the atmosphere to report within the armbit of the law.
Please be rest assured that I welcome genuine observations and contributions from you at all times.
I implore you too to always balance your story before going on air. I am available for you to confirm your stories; the PPRO is also 24 hours open for your questions and observations. I hope you will continue to cooperate with us in this regards.
As you all know, I assumed duty as the 33rd Commissioner of Police in the state on 14th September 2024, the Command under my watch was able to record some successes during the period under review, some of which are as follows:
1.RESCUE OF HOSTAGES, ARREST OF KIDNAP AND MURDER SUSPECTS/RECOVERY OF FIREARMS: On Thursday, August 29, 2024, following information received on the 18th of August, 2024 that the Marine Hunters that were abducted and killed were buried in shallow graves within the community. The Command’s operatives upon getting the information embarked on a hot chase of a gang of sea pirates/kidnappers led by one Success ‘m’ other names unknown, who usually terrorize Oron waterways and its environs, intelligence gathered revealed that were camping in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages in Mbo L.G.A. The Command operatives combed the areas and arrested the following suspects; Jephter Christopher Inwang ‘m’, Clement Okon Emmanuel ‘m’, Promise Effiong Nkerobia ‘m’, Anthony Archibong Atte ‘m’, Nkereuwem Okon Edet ‘m’, Joseph Okon Asuquo ‘m’, Anietie Henry Tom ‘m’, Gad Clement Inwang ‘m’, Emmanuel Otoyo Emmanuel ‘m’, Daniel Edet Ekpo ‘m’, Mary Edet Isong ‘f’, Godswill Edet Jackson ‘m’. Also arrested with them was the Village Head of Utit Antai, Chief Okon Asuquo Etteokpo ‘m’ who is said to be their ally and spiritual fortifier; while a total of 15 live cartridges were recovered from them. Upon their arrest, a combined team of the Command launched a comprehensive search for the corpse and found them buried in shallow graves after hours of frantic toil with their heads dismembered.
2.UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIRE ARMS: On 05/09/2024 One Abasiama Godwin James ‘f’ was reported to the Command through a written petition. On the strength of the report, Operatives of the Command swung into action and arrested one Ukpono Etim Effiong ‘m’ and immediately a search was executed in his house and premises. Items recovered from his possession includes; one locally made short gun with 19.87mm life ammunition and a four (4) gallon containing raw acid. Suspect will soon be charged to court.
3.UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM AND ARREST OF SUSPECTS: On 19/08/2024 at about 12:30pm, Operatives of the Command during active stop and search along Ikot Obong road by Mary Slessor in Ibiono Ibom L.G.A intercepted one Samuel Bassey Young ‘m’ and Faith Richard Peter ‘m’ searched and recovered a Beretta pistol and some wraps suspected to be Indian hemp. Suspects confessed to the crime and mentioned other names. Efforts are ongoing to arrest others who are at large.
4.CHILD STEALING: On 13th September 2024 at about 1:30pm Operatives on patrol intercepted members of a child stealing syndicate that has already abducted one Ekemini Monday Akpan ‘m’ aged 5yrs with the intention of selling the said victim to one Charity ‘f’ (other names unknown) for the sum of N600,000.
Consequently, one Blessing Elijah Sylvester ‘f’ aged 35yrs from Ikot Enua, Ibesikpo Asutan and one Ofonime Etim Essien ‘f’ aged 50yrs from Ikot Abiyan, Nsit Atai were arrested. The victim was rescued and has since been reunited with the parents. However, investigation is ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate. Suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation.
5.ARREST OF CHILD TRAFFICKING SUSPECTS: Sometime in the month of August, one Blessing Iniobong ‘f’ of Obo Atai village, Nsit Ibom LGA was arrested. The said suspect lured one Gideon Joseph aged 9yrs and ask him to call out one Favour Atan Udo ‘f’ age 4yrs who she trafficked to Aba in Abia State and sold her at the cost of N400,000 to one Blessing other names unknown in Umiahia who is now at large.
Also, the said suspect adopted one Deborah Uwem ‘f’ age 3yrs and took the victim to Umuahia in Abia State, sold her at the sum of N400,000. Investigation is ongoing to arrest Blessing who is now at large.
6.ARREST OF FAKE KIDNAPPED SUSPECTS: On 12/09/2024 at about 2:00pm, one Samuel Bassey Effiong ‘m’ of Obot Itu in Itu Local Government Area reported that same date, that he received a call from a Gsm number (with-held) that one Inyene Donald Okon ‘m’ has been kidnapped and that a ransom of Seventy Thousand should be paid for his release. Police Operatives swiftly traced and rescued the victim along Uyo Village Road, the victim hands and legs were tied. Alleged kidnappers on sighting the Police took to their heels, one Isaac Michael Akpan ‘m’ was arrested and a tricycle recovered. On interrogation the victim confessed faking his own kidnap to obtain money from his principal. Suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigation
7.CONSPIRACY/ARMED ROBBERY SUSPECTS: On the 02/09/2024 Operatives of the Command arrested one Paul Sunday Etim ‘m’ of Ukat Ubium, Nsit Ubium LGA who was on the Command’s wanted list for several cases of armed robberies. Subsequently, one Elisha Effiong Edet and Inimfon George Ikpe were also arrested. Further investigation revealed that Paul Sunday Etim conspired with Elisha Effiong and Inimfon George Ikpe, dressed in military uniform, robbed Godwin Emmanuel Jackson ‘m’ of Iwochang Ibeno and Idongesit Gabriel ‘m’ of Ekpene Ukpa, Etinan of their motocycles on the 7/9/2024 and 21/08/2024 respectively, sold same to one Bisong Tabe Emmanuel ‘m’ of Akamkpa, cross River State for the sum of N150,000. Suspects will be charge to court.
8.IMPERSONATION: On 26/09/2024 at about 11:50am, Operatives of the Command while on routine patrol along Stadium Road, Uyo intercepted a man on Police uniform who was later identified with F/No. 527064 CPL. Michael Effiong, native of Nung Udoe, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA. On interrogation, he stated that he was dismissed from the Nigeria Police Force in 2011 while serving at Abia State Command. Subject could not give satisfactory explanation why he is on Police uniform. A search was conducted on him and one warrant card bearing Sgt. Michael Effiong, three passport photographs with Corporal rank were recovered from him. Suspect will be charged to Court.
9.ARMED ROBBERY/CULTISM/ATTACK ON POLICE PATROL TEAM: On 24/09/2024 Based on credible information that a gang of Armed Robbers/Cultists who attacked Police Patrol Team with Guns in the month of March, 2024 have robbed one Akan ‘m’ other names unknown and disposssesed him of his motorcycle and also robbed Corpers’ Lodge located at Afia Nsit Urua Nko in Nsit Ibom L.G.A The Team swung into action and nine (9) suspects were arrested. One (1) locally made pistol, Two (2) suspected stolen motorcycles and one (1) dagger were recovered. Suspects includes;
1. Kufre Francis ‘m’
2. Ofonime Bassey Hanson
3. Samuel Sampson Etukudo
4. Godwin Monday Archibong
5. Umana Etoro David
6. Imabasi Sampson Etukudo
7. Umana Sunday Joseph
8. Nathaniel Joseph Uton
9. Odo Odinakah
Suspects have confessed to the crime and are leading the Police to more recoveries.
Gentlemen of the Press, in our efforts to ensure a free crime state, I have equally directed that all officers and men of the command rise up to their responsibilities. We shall not hesitate to reward any outstanding police officer or officers for doing a good job while at the same time punish the erring ones. Justice must be done and seen to be served on all citizens, we must treat citizens with courtesy and fairness at all times. Extortion of any kind will not be tolerated by the Command’s hierarchy.
Thank you and God bless you.
