Ini Billie Uyo
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested about 32 suspects for criminal activities bordering on theft, kidnapping, rape, vandalism, murder, cultism, and child trafficking.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Waheed Ayilara, said the new crime-fighting strategies they adopted resulted in the positive results experienced by the Command.
Speaking during a press conference on Tuesday in Uyo, the CP mentioned that some of the arrested suspects include a 56 years-old woman who specialises in stealing babies and pregnant women from Akwa Ibom State through her agent, one Ability Henry Tom, adding that 10 pregnant women have been rescued.
“On 15/7/2024 at about 4:30 pm, based on actionable intelligence, one Mrs Eunice Eze, ‘f’, age 56, was arrested for running a baby factory at World Bank Estate in Owerri. The suspect specializes in stealing babies and pregnant women from Akwa Ibom State through her agent Ability Henry Tom. Ten (10) pregnant women were rescued,” he said.
Another suspect, 44-year-old Paul Samuel Edu was said to have threatened a Youth Corp member residing at Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim local government area with a machete and raped her on the pretence of wanting to talk to her.
“On 20/7/2024 at about 3:15 pm, a National Youth Service Corps member residing at Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim reported that at about 3:00 am one Paul Samuel Edu 44yrs (her landlord’s son) came knocking at her door.
“That on opening the door, the said Paul brandished her with a machete and directed her to follow him to his room for a talk or else he would harm her. On reaching the suspect’s room, he bolted the door, tore her clothes and had carnal knowledge without her consent.
“Suspect was arrested, one machete and a slaughter knife was recovered from him. The investigation is ongoing,” the CP stated.
Six suspected vandals living in Rivers State who were on the verge of vandalizing another transformer at Ikot Inyang-Ator in Ika Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State were also among those arrested.
According to the CP, they have confessed to the crime and admitted to vandalizing different transformers in Ojor village, MTN Communication Mast located at Efemibon village and Airtel Communication Mast at Ikot Idiong Etor village, noting that they will be charged to court when the investigation was complete.
“Through the intelligence-led operation, Operatives of the Command in partnership with sister Security arrested vandals responsible for vandalizing most of the Electric Transformers and Communication Mast within Akwa Ibom and Rivers States respectively.
“Further investigations revealed that the suspects were on the verge of vandalizing another transformer at Ikot Inyang-Ator in Ika Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
“A Nissan Premera vehicle, one Gasoline Oxygen and spanners were recovered from them. Meanwhile, suspects confessed to the crime and admitted that they are responsible for vandalizing different Transformers in Ojor village, MTN Communication Mast located at Efemibon village and Airtel Comm. Mast at Ikot Idiong Etor village,” he stated.
Items like seven air conditioner compressors, three plasma televisions, three refrigerators, seven compressors from stolen fridges, three plasma television sets and one refrigerator were also recovered from four other vandals who were responsible for burglary and stealing from Eastern Obolo General Hospital.