Police nab murderer, armed robbery suspects in A’Ibom

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The police command in Akwa Ibom State has arrested three suspected criminals for murdering two persons alleged to be members of a cult group from Eyo-Abasi in the Mbo Local Government Area.

The Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, said this in a press conference held at the command’s headquarters in Uyo, on Friday.

Eribo stated that the suspects went into hiding in a ravine in the village after committing the offence. However, based on intelligence, operatives from the command apprehended them on 16 October 2024.

“Operatives of the command were alerted of the presence of a corpse with the mark of violence on it by the youth leader.

“He alleged that the dead body is One Paul Eyo ‘m’, a suspected member of Black Axe from EyoAbasi, who was given machete cuts on his head leading to his death while One Ekpe ‘m’ from EyoAbasi, a suspected member of Vikings cult group, was also beheaded.

“At about 12:15hrs, based on credible intelligence on Abiak Owo Ebughu in the Mbo LGA, where it was believed the gangsters that killed Eyo, earlier that morning came from, and all were arrested at a ravine in the village,” Eribo said.

The CP added that on October 17, the command caught two suspects who stole a Jenbei Hiase bus parked at Akpa Ube Street in Uyo due to a minor mechanical fault by the owner.

He said the police traced the suspects to Mechanic Village along Abak Road in Uyo where the suspects had dismantled the bus into pieces.

Eribo added that on October 6, operatives of the command also arrested four suspected armed robbers with firearms along Idoro Road in Uyo metropolis.

According to CP, all the suspects would be charged in court as soon as investigations are concluded.

He, however, warned criminals to reconsider and refrain from crimes as the state was no longer safe for their nefarious activities.

The CP called on residents of Akwa Ibom to volunteer credible information on criminals living within their communities to the police for prompt action to keep the state safe.

“I want to respectfully use this medium to ask you to alert the whole of Akwa Ibom state that the Commissioner of Police and his management team have put out a red alert on crime through his Area commanders, tactical commanders and DPOs in the state. 

“My duty as a Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom state, is to bring crime to the barest minimum.

“As a critical partner in the fight against crimes, the Police will appreciate any information that will be useful enough to help us tackle crime,” he said.