The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested 16 criminal suspects in seven different operations, with the suspects now in custody awaiting prosecution.
State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, disclosed this during a briefing with journalists on the Command’s recent activities.
The suspects were arrested for various crimes, including murder, cultism, firearms recovery, kidnapping, armed robbery, and child trafficking. Commissioner Ayilara stated that the suspects have confessed to their crimes and will be charged to court shortly.
Among the recovered items were a locally made gun, charms, and illicit drugs. The investigation also led to the recovery of an AK-49 rifle, an SMG rifle, two magazines, and six rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the suspects’ residence.
One notable incident detailed by Commissioner Ayilara involved the murder of Edima Edet, a female resident of Mbio-Oku Nsit in Uyo LGA. On May 14, 2024, police operatives responded to a distress call from Effiat Offot, off Atiku Abubakar Way, Uyo. They found Edet gruesomely murdered by her lover, Elisha Idongesit Ime, aged 20. The suspect, who had gone into hiding, has since been arrested and will face charges soon.
The Commissioner expressed gratitude to the state Governor, Umo Enom, for his support and commitment to crime-fighting efforts. He acknowledged the governor’s contributions as pivotal in enhancing the police’s capability to combat crime and maintain order in the state.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police shall leave no stone unturned as we battle all factors capable of disrupting peace, law, and order in the state. We urge the 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,” Commissioner Ayilara stated.