Akwa Ibom Police Command has busted human traffic syndicate and arrested suspected trafficker in the state.
‘‘On September 12, 2025, at approximately 10:30 PM, Operatives of the Command arrested three suspects in connection with a kidnapping and human trafficking case. The operation was launched following a tip about a human trafficking syndicate operating in the area.
‘‘The victim, (name withheld) a native of Igbanki Village in Oriong Local Government Area, Edo State, was allegedly sent by his brother-in-law, a suspected human trafficking ring leader based in Burkina Faso. Michael was instructed to transport several girls from Uyo to Burkina Faso. Upon his arrival in Uyo, the girls directed him to a hotel (name withheld) in Nung Oku, Ibesikpo Asutan, in a mini-bus driven by one of the suspects.
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‘‘On arrival at the hotel, the girls and other accomplices reportedly locked Michael in a room and demanded a ransom of four million naira (N4,000,000). Unable to pay the full amount, he was subjected to severe beatings. The assailants seized his ATM card, forced him to reveal his PIN, and withdrew one hundred and eleven thousand naira (111,000) from his account. They then forced him to contact his brother-in-law in Burkina Faso to send the remaining money.
‘‘Acting on the intelligence, police operatives swiftly moved in and arrested three suspects: Iniobong David, 45yrs; Edikan Samuel, 23yrs and Joseph Jonah Akpan, 27yrs. Other suspects fled the scene upon the arrival of the police,’’ a press release dated September 16 and signed by DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, stated.
John said ‘‘A search of the hotel room led to the recovery of a handbag containing the following items: one international passport, a national identity card, a voter’s card and six ATM cards from various banks, all bearing the name Utuk Unyime Justine.
‘‘Other documents are University of Uyo Town Campus Annex gate pass, three button mobile phones, two Android phones, two power banks and a mini bus with REG. NO. KTE 867 XA.
‘‘The suspects are currently in police custody and are providing useful information to aid the investigation. Efforts are underway to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
‘‘This operation underscores the commitment of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to combating human trafficking and other forms of organized crime.
Meanwhile, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully apprehended three individuals suspected of being part of a syndicate responsible for defrauding numerous victims across Nigeria. The arrests followed several complaints received by the Command.
A statement by the police spokesperson in the state said ‘‘acting on the instructions of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, Operatives of the Command initiated a technical intelligence-led operation in July 2025. This effort culminated in the arrest of the three prime suspects on September 5, 2025, at approximately 1330 hours, from their hideout in the Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.
The arrested suspects have been identified as: Prince Francis Albert (m), 27yrs, of Edemeya village, Ikot Abasi Local Government Area. Albert, the alleged gang leader, confessed to luring victims from various states using multiple phone numbers, including 07018079625, 08057090611, 09125284189, 08169159852, and 08081732375. He admitted to beginning his criminal activities in 2022 after graduating from Sokoto State Polytechnic.
He also confessed to successfully scamming several high-profile individuals, including politicians, military officers, and senior police officers, by using fake identities. Albert told investigators he sourced his victims’ phone numbers from marriage invitations, obituary posters, complimentary cards, and online sources. He further admitted to relocating from Oyo State to Akwa Ibom in April 2025 to evade police and DSS pursuit.
‘‘Augustine Ernest Bassey (m), 39yrs, of Okobo LGA. Bassey, a POS operator, is accused of receiving scammed funds through his OPay account, number 8081732375. He has confessed to receiving large sums of money from victims between April and August 2025.
‘‘Mbetobong Godwin (m), 35yrs, of Ibesikpo LGA. Godwin, who shares a compound with the gang leader, also confessed to receiving funds through his OPay account, number 8160526905. He admitted to collecting significant amounts of money for the syndicate during the same period.’’
According to her, ‘‘The suspects are fully cooperating with the police to recover their SIM cards and assist in the arrest of other syndicate members who are currently at large.
‘‘The Akwa Ibom State Police Command urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.’’
