The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has apprehended 28 individuals suspected of involvement in internet fraud in Akwa Ibom and Edo states.

The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed the arrests in a statement released on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to Oyewale, the arrests took place on October 7 during a coordinated sting operation based on credible intelligence regarding the suspects’ fraudulent activities. In Akwa Ibom, 13 suspects were arrested in the Nwaniba area of Uyo, while 15 suspects were taken into custody in Benin City, Edo State.

Items seized from the suspects in Akwa Ibom included two Lexus 350 saloon cars, a Toyota Camry V6, a Toyota Corolla, six laptops, and 20 smartphones. In Benin, four luxury vehicles, laptops, and phones were recovered from the suspects.

The EFCC confirmed that the suspects will be charged to court following the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, Waheed Ayilara, has issued a stern warning to officers and personnel under his command against engaging in unprofessional conduct.

He emphasized that the Command will take strict action against any officer found guilty of misconduct.

This warning was delivered at the conclusion of his comprehensive tour of the 31 local government areas in the state, which included visits to Area Commands, Divisions, and Formations. During his interactions with officers, Ayilara reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel, urging them to maintain professional behavior in their duties.

Ayilara assured communities across Akwa Ibom State that the Command will continue to safeguard citizens’ rights through the Police Complaint Response Unit, which has been established to address grievances and complaints from the public.

The Commissioner solicited support from local government chairmen and community stakeholders in the fight against crime. He highlighted the importance of strategic security measures and community collaboration to prevent criminal activities in the state.

Reiterating his dedication to protecting lives and property, Ayilara invited constructive criticism and contributions from citizens, stating that his leadership is service-oriented and open to feedback.

The primary purpose of his tour was to assess the conditions of police divisions, engage with local stakeholders, gather intelligence, and connect with community members to better understand their security needs.

In conclusion, CP Ayilara called for a strategic partnership between the police and all stakeholders to enhance crime prevention efforts in Akwa Ibom State.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has apprehended four individuals impersonating Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officers who were planning to abduct a victim and extort N150 million in ransom.

Commissioner of Police Waheed Ayilara identified the suspects as Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak, 27; Echem Ovurizichi Weneka, 27; Promise Udofia, 28; and Jeremiah Johnson Okon, 38.

Commissioner Ayilara revealed that the principal suspect, Emmanuel Akpayak, orchestrated the kidnapping scheme to evade a debt of over N12 million owed to the intended victim. The plan involved hiring armed men and procuring EFCC uniforms to facilitate the operation.

“Investigation revealed that Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak had arranged for the kidnap and killing of the would-be victim by engaging armed men and procuring EFCC vests/uniforms for the operation. The victim was invited, and a search conducted at the principal suspect’s house led to the recovery of four pairs of EFCC vests,” Ayilara stated.

The commissioner noted that the suspects intended to extort N150 million from the victim before killing him. However, the plot was foiled by the police.

In an interview, Akpayak admitted to owing the intended victim money from a business transaction involving car sales. He claimed that the victim hired “boys” who issued threats to him, prompting him to procure EFCC vests online and plan the abduction to force the victim to pay N150 million.

Additionally, the commissioner paraded suspects involved in advance fee fraud targeting POS operators in Uyo. One incident involved suspects Donald Ita Nyong, Rex Clement Uso, and Kingsley Mathias Joekim, who defrauded a POS operator, Glory Uko Okon, of N320,000. The suspects tricked Okon into giving them access to her POS machine under the pretense of making a withdrawal. They then swiftly withdrew the money and fled.

“On 21/06/2024 at about 7:00 pm, one Glory Uko Okon of Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan Village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, called in through the emergency hotline and alleged that Donald Ita Nyong, Rex Clement Uso, and Kingsley Mathias Joekim, POS syndicates, came to her POS stand at Udo Udoma Avenue, Uyo, pretended to make a withdrawal of N10,000. While she made the withdrawal, one of the suspects gave her N3,200 to deposit into an Opay account. She tried three times unsuccessfully, and under pressure, handed the POS machine to the suspects to type in the account number. Before she realized, they had withdrawn N320,000 from her machine and quickly jumped into their waiting car and fled. The suspects were arrested, made useful statements, and have confessed to the crime,” the statement read.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command continues to urge the public to cooperate with law enforcement by reporting suspicious activities to help combat crime in the state.