A suspected rapist and robber openly confessed to have raped and robbed at least five girls in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
The suspect- one Abasifreke Idongesit Ezekiel ‘m’ aka Michael – a native of Okara Village, Akamkpa LGA in Cross River State, told journalists that he used dubious Facebook account to have scammed, lured and raped the girls.
The 25-year-old placed on the wanted list of Akwa Ibom State Police Command was arrested for cyber stalking, robbery and raping of innocent young ladies in the metropolis.
Answering questions from journalists at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia in Uyo Local Government Area, Abasifreke who was among the 17 suspects caught in various crimes admitted to have committed the crime but was caught in the act by the vigilant police.
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Earlier at a press briefing, the State Commissioner of Police, Waheed Ayilara, had said ‘‘On 6/6/2024 following credible information at disposal, one Abasifreke Idongesit Ezekiel ‘m’ aka Michael a native of Okara Village, Akamkpa LGA in Cross River State aged 25 yrs was arrested.
‘‘Suspect has been on the Command wanted list for cyber stalking, armed robbery and raping of innocent young ladies within the Metropolis.’’
According to him, ‘‘The suspect lures his victims through an account on Facebook with the name “Akparawa Isaac Udofia JP while claiming to be a famous Philanthropist, pursued the victims to close areas within Pepsi Junction, Etinan Road by Beulah School, Ekom Iman axis, Nkara village in Ikono LGA and within Uyo metropolis, raped, film nude videos, robbed the victims of their phones and valuables.
‘‘Suspect has confessed to the crime and effort is ongoing to arrest his accomplices.’’
On the arrest of suspected advance fee fraudsters, Ayilara stated that ‘‘On 21/06/2024 at about 7:00pm, one Glory Uko Okon ‘f’ of Afaha Ikot Obio Nkan Village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, called in through the emergency hotline and alleged that one Donald Ita Nyong ‘m’, Rex Clement Uso ‘m’ and one Kingsley Mathias Joekim POS syndicates came to her POS stand at Udo Udoma Avenue Uyo, pretended to make withdrawal of N10,000 and while she made the withdrawal to the suspects, one of the suspect gave her N3,200 to deposit into an Opay account which she tried three times and the transaction was unsuccessful, the suspects mounted pressure on her which made her to give out the POS machine to the suspect’s to type in the account number and before she could realize.
‘‘The suspects had withdrawn the sum of N320,000.00 from her machine and quickly jumped into their waiting car and zoomed off. Suspects were arrested, they all made useful statements and have confessed to the crime.
‘‘Suspect will be arraigned in court as soon as investigation is completed.’’
He announced that the above suspects and others would have their day in court.
The Commissioner of Police used the occasion to commend the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno for his support to the Police.
‘‘The Governor’s support and commitment to fighting crime has acted as a buffer towards the eradication of crime and criminal elements 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 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,’’ he added.