Press Release
A 29-year-old man, from Akai Ubium Village, Nsit Ubium Local Area of Akwa Ibom State, was arrested by police over alleged kidnapping and murder of a man.
The suspect, Otuekong Enoidem was arrested while allegedly attempting to collect a N3 million ransom from the victim’s family, following the kidnapping and murder of one Koffi (male) whose tragic death was reported to the Command on 24 August 2026.
The Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who stated this in a statement, noted that the arrest followed a sustained intelligence-led operation to identify and apprehend those responsible for the crime.
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According to the police, the victim’s mobile phone, which was allegedly used by the kidnappers to communicate ransom demands, was recovered from the suspect during the operation.
“Significantly, during the operation, the mobile phone belonging to the victim and allegedly used by the kidnappers to communicate ransom demands was recovered from the suspect,” the statement read.
It added that the recovery was “a critical piece of evidence” that would assist investigators in determining the circumstances surrounding the crime and establishing the roles of other members of the alleged criminal syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their diligence, courage and professionalism.
He assured residents that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, strategic surveillance and sustained operational pressure against kidnappers and other criminal elements.
The command reiterated that there would be no safe haven for criminals in the state, stressing that those involved in kidnapping, murder and other violent crimes would be pursued and brought to justice in accordance with the law.
The police urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to the police and other security agencies, noting that community cooperation remained crucial to the prevention and detection of crime.
“The command assures the people of Akwa Ibom State that the safety and security of lives and property remain its foremost priority, and further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” the statement added.
Suspected robbery suspect Nabbed, Stolen items Recovered
Meanwhile, Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected member of a robbery syndicate and the recovered items allegedly stolen from a victim at gunpoint.
According to DSP Timfon John, the state Police Public Relations Officer in, the breakthrough occurred on 21 August 2026, when operatives of the Command, while conducting a purposeful stop-and-search operation along Mbak Itam, intercepted a tricycle with registration number PBT 322 QN, ridden by one Wisdom Edet, male.
‘‘The tricycle, which had two passengers seated behind the rider, reportedly failed to stop when flagged down by the operatives and sped off. The Police team immediately commenced pursuit.
‘‘During the pursuit, the two passengers reportedly jumped out of the moving tricycle and escaped into the surrounding area, while the rider was successfully apprehended by the operatives.
‘‘A thorough search of the tricycle subsequently led to the recovery of several items suspected to be proceeds of criminal activities’’.
The statement said ‘‘The recovered exhibits include: one HP laptop, one PS4 game player, one torchlight, two face caps and one power bank.
‘‘Others were one key wallet holder, one black eyeglass, two phone chargers, one white long-sleeved shirt, one nose mask and one long-sleeved jean jacket.
‘‘At about 1000hrs on the same date, one Samuel, male, reported at the Police Station and positively identified the HP laptop and PS4 game player as his property. He stated that the items were allegedly stolen from him during a robbery at gunpoint.
‘‘The victim also identified some of the recovered clothing items as being similar to those worn by the perpetrators during the robbery.
‘‘The arrest and recovery followed the Commissioner of Police’s sustained directive for intensified intelligence-led policing, proactive surveillance, targeted stop-and-search operations and aggressive pursuit of criminal elements operating within the state.’’
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their alertness, courage and professionalism.
He noted that the successful recovery of the suspected stolen items further demonstrates the Command’s determination to deny criminal elements the freedom to operate and ensure that victims of violent crime receive justice.
The Command further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information on suspicious persons, movements and activities to the Police. Such information will be treated with the necessary confidentiality and may prove decisive in preventing crime and apprehending criminal elements.
The message remains clear: criminality has no safe space in Akwa Ibom State. The Police will continue to pursue, apprehend and bring offenders to justice.
