Police gun down serial killer in A’Ibom

From Ini Billie, Uyo

A notorious murderer responsible for the death of 13 persons and shooting of 22 others, one Wisdom Sunday Akpan has been killed in Akwa Ibom State.

Akpan who was the last gang member of a dreaded armed robbery syndicate, led by late Malachi Uwem Friday, is said to have terrorised many Akwa Ibom residents in Ikot Ambang, Ikot Efun, Ikot Inuan, Itak, Ikot Osukpong, and Okobo Ibiono, among others in Uyo and Ibiono Ibom Local Government Areas.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon said Akpan who had been evading arrest engaged in a shootout with operatives of the Command’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) Team during one of his operations.

Macdon said in a press release in Uyo that a locally reconstructed pump Action with the look of an AK-47, cartridges, a Q-link motorcycle, assorted charms, and a mask were among the exhibits recovered from Akpan.

“The said Wisdom, who shot at police operatives while attempting to arrest him, is a remnant of a dreaded armed robbery gang, led by the late Malachi Uwem Friday.

“On 22nd July, he murdered one Nsikan Vincent Udo of Ikot Inua village at Ikot Efun junction and made away with his new Q-link motorcycle. On the 8th of July, he shot and injured one Jesse Johnson and two others in a POS Shop at Ikot Ambang junction. while on the 5th of the same month, he shot and maimed one Augustina Dominic at her Supermarket.

“Many POS operators, fuel stations, supermarket owners, market men and women have been dispossessed of millions of naira by Wisdom who succeeded in spreading a lot of fear before meeting his Waterloo,” he stated.

According to the PPRO, the Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi was appreciative of citizens who had trusted the police with useful information needed to arrest Akpan and warned criminal elements to immediately leave the State or face the wrath of the law.

He called for more collaboration to keep Akwa Ibom State safe and commended the efforts of Officers and Men of the Command, especially SWAT and F-Division, Ikot Ambang for doing a good job. Meanwhile, many residents in Uyo who trooped out in jubilation to watch the deceased converged at the Police headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia and recounted eyewitness and third-person stories of the escapades of Akpan.