Waheed Ayilara: We’ve rescued all kidnap victims in Akwa lbom
-Hails Gov. Eno’s Commitment to fighting crime
-urges citizens on trusting police with information
By Augustine Akpan, Uyo
On the heels of a reported case of abduction of a school proprietor by criminal elements in Uyo last week, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, has dispelled possible fears in the minds of citizens, saying the command has rescued not just the abducted educationist but all other kidnapped victims in the State.
Addressing newsmen, Monday at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, CP Waheed Ayilara, commended the support and commitment of the Governor, Pastor Umo Eno in fighting crime in the state, saying “the Governor’s support and commitment to fighting crime has acted as a buffer towards the eradication of crime and criminal elements in the State”.
Briefing journalists, CP Ayilara, reeled out the achievements recorded by the police in crime fighting in the month of June and assured that under his watch, the state will continue remain too hot for criminal elements to stay and perpetrate evil.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police shall leave no stone unturn as we battle all factors capable of disrupting Peace, law and order in the State.
“We urge Akwa Ibom people to continue cooperating with the Police through intelligence sharing so that together we can fight and successfully defeat crime and criminal elements in the State. Please when you see something, say something”, Ayilara submitted.
The Police Chief while parading some suspects arrested for various criminal offenses ranging from kidnapping, armed robbery, murder, child trafficking/theft and internet fraud, also used the opportunity to urge citizens and members of the public to always trust the Police with information to enable clamp down on suspected criminals.
Among the suspects paraded before the press were those in connection with the killing and beheading of a police inspector, Usang Egbe and one Udofia Sunday Umoh in Uyo, April this year were: “one Wisdom Victor ‘m’ aka Naked, one Sunday Joseph Akpan ‘m’ aka Slot, one Isaac Enefiok Friday ‘m’ aka Chapter One, one Ifiok Udo Etim ‘m’ aka Solowise, one Nsikak Joseph Inyang ‘m’ aka Funky, one Uduak Ime Jimmy ‘m’ aka Messi”.
According to the Police, the said “suspects confessed to both crimes and mentioned other members of their gang that partook in the terror attacks.Two locally made gun, two bottles containing concoctions suspected to be charms and illicit drugs were recovered from them. Suspects will be charge to court soonest”.
Also, one Elisha Idongesit Ime ‘m’ aged 20yrs of No. 104 Effiat Offot by Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo who allegedly murdered his girlfriend and went into hiding was also among the paraded suspects.
Another suspected kidnap gang led by one Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak ‘m’ aged 27yrs, who claims to be a philanthropist and one Echem Ovurizichi Weneka ‘m’ aged 27yrs, who claimed to be an aide to Akpayak as well as one Promise Udofia ‘m’ aged 28yrs and one Jeremiah Johnson Okon ‘m’ 38yrs were also among the suspects paraded.
Police said “Following credible intelligence on a planned kidnapping and collection One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira from a man (name withheld) 32yrs. Operatives of the Command switfly intercepted one Toyota Hiace Bus, White Colour and arrested” and arrested the mentioned suspects.
According to the police “Investigation revealed that Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak had arranged for the kidnap and killing of the would-be victim by engaging men on arms and procuring EFCC vest/uniform for the Operation. Victim was invited and a search was conducted at the principal suspect’s house where four pairs of EFCC vest were recovered.
“Information at hand indicates that the suspect transacted business of selling cars with the would-be victim and owed the victim about Twelve Million Naira (N12,000,000.00), in order to evade the repayment of debt, the suspect hired armed men to kidnap, extort the sum of One Hundred and Fifty Million Naira (N150,000,000.00) and also kill the victim thereafter but the Operation was foiled. Suspects will have their day in court”.
Child theft/trafficking syndicates were also among the suspects paraded.
Giving a hint on how it bursted the trafficking syndicates, police said “On the 09/5/2024… acting on credible intelligence, Operatives of the Command arrested one Michael Emmanuel Edet ‘m’, one Ability Henry Tom ‘f’ and one Uwem udoh Moses ‘f’ from their hideouts within Ibesikpo and Aka Etinan road for stealing a child (name withheld) ‘m’ 12yrs while he was hawking groundnut along Oron road and was taken to Ovum Community in Obingwa L.G.A., Abia State, sold out for the sum of Four Hundred Thousand Naira (N400,000) to one Loveth Nkwankwo ‘f’ of Ovum Community, Obingwa L.G.A. in Abia State.
“Further investigation led to arrest of the said Loveth Nkwakwo in Abia State, suspects confessed to crime and promised to help arrest other fleeing members in their syndicate. Victim rescued and with others. Investigation is still ongoing”.
Also paraded before the press were armed robbery suspects/serial rapist by name Abasifreke Idongesit Ezekiel ‘m’ aka Michael a native of Okara Village, Akamkpa LGA in Cross River State aged 25yrs.
The police said the “Suspect has been on the Command wanted list for cyber stalking, armed robbery and raping of innocent young ladies within the Metropolis. The suspect lures his victims through an account on Facebook with the name “Akparawa Isaac Udofia JP while claiming to be a famous Philanthropist, pursuade the victims to close areas within Pepsi Junction, Etinan Road by Beulah School, Ekom Iman axis, Nkara village in Ikono LGA and within Uyo metropolis, raped, film nude videos, robbed the victims of their phones and valuables”.
