Etim Effiong
Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested 328 suspects for various criminal offences ranging from armed robbery, murder, cultism, rape and child trafficking.
Commissioner of Police, Imohimi Edgal, said on Tuesday in Uyo during a press conference that the suspects were arrested between July and August this year.
According to him, 17 of the suspects were arrested for a recent case of murder and cultism in Ikot Obio Idang village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area; a pastor and four others for rape and defilement; another four for robbery, and a fake solider with his accomplice for car snatching, among others.
He added that the police also arrested suspected child trafficking syndicates and rescued three victims from them, noting that the command was poised to sustain the tempo in the fight against crimes and criminality.
Edgal said the 51-year-old pastor arrested for the defilement of a 13-year-old girl ambushed his victim and dragged her into his bedroom located in the church premises, where he defiled her.
The police commissioner said, “Based on a complaint, detectives of Mkpat Enin Division apprehended one Pastor Mfon Lazarus Etukudo ‘m’, aged 51, who is a pastor of a new generation church at Ikot Ekpuk village, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area for defiling a 13 year-old girl.
“Investigation revealed that the suspect on the same date around 11.15am waylaid and dragged the victim into his bedroom located at the church premises and had unlawful carnal of her.
“Following a complaint on August 3 around 10.00am, detectives from Ibesikpo Division apprehended one Christopher Asuquo Akpan ‘m’, aged 55, of Afaha Etok, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, who allegedly defiled a 4 year-old girl. The suspect has confessed to the crime.
“Operatives of the Anti-Child Theft/Trafficking acted on a tip-off, arrested one Ifeoma James Inalegwu ‘f’, 52 years, of Okigwe, Imo State and Joy Njoku Patrick ‘f’, 40 years, of Ikwerre, Rivers State for child trafficking.
“The suspects conspired and pretended to assist one Victory Anietie Okon ‘f’, 22 years of Nung Udoe village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, who after giving birth on July 5, needed an assistance from them for the upkeep of the child, but was deceived and the baby was trafficked to Imo State.
“The 1 month-old baby had been rescued and re-united with the family. Suspect will be arraigned soon.
“Operatives of Anti-Child Theft/Trafficking, arrested one Grace Moffat Udofia ‘f’, 36 years, of Edem Idim Okpo Ete, Obot Akara LGA, who was found in possession of a 4-month-old baby, but she could not give an account of how the baby was born. The baby was rescued and sent to Ministry of Women Affairs, while investigation continues.
“Operatives of Anti-Child Theft/Trafficking Unit arrested one Peace Archibong Umoh ‘f’, 35 years of Ikot Akpan, Essien Udim LGA, who after putting to bed a male child on July 9, later sold the child. The baby had been rescued from one Nseabasi James Ukpong ‘f’, 45 years old from Ikot Ekpene LGA, who bought the child.”