AKS Police arrest kidnappers who demanded N5, 000,000 from victim * 5-man robbery gang nabbed

BY KENNETH JUDE

In a concerted effort to rid   the state of crime and  other social vices, the Akwa Ibom State Police command has rounded up five armed robbery suspects. The armed robbers who have been terrorising Oruk Anam and its environs met their waterloo on 22nd January, 2016 at about 9pm when they were arrested by the Special anti-robbery squad.
 

The suspects had invaded the residence of one Inyang Willie Ubon (Male) of Ikot Osute Village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area and robbed the victim of his belongings including a Nokia Torchlight Phone valued at N5, 000 (Five Thousand Naira) and also carted away the sum of 10, 000 (Ten Thousand Naira) at gun point.

The suspects who were paraded yesterday (Monday) before newsmen at the Police Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia were, Emediong Emmanuel Uwah; Ukeme Ufot Akpan; Ifiok Ime David and Eyakndue Mbuotidem, all male. They all confessed to the crime and were arrested immediately.  Three live Cartridges, One locally made Pistol and one Nokia GSM Phone were recovered from the suspects.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Cordelia Nwawe (ASP), while briefing journalists stated that investigation into the case is still ongoing as the Police, she added will do everything within its capacity to stamp out crime from the state. She noted that Special anti-robbery squad (SARS) and the anti-kidnapping team are on twenty-four hour surveillance hence any form of crime will not be tolerated.

In the same vein, an eleven-member kidnap gang comprising majority of the armed robbery gang that specialised in various crimes and kidnapping have been arrested by the anti-kidnapping squad. The kidnap syndicate were said to have kidnapped two women and demanded a ransom of 5,000, 000. (Five Million Naira).  Parading the suspects at the State Headquarters before Journalists, The PPRO, Mrs. Cordelia Nwawe noted that the arrest of the five-kidnap gang is a clear warning to all those involved in crime in the state to desist from it or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.  “Let us use this opportunity to say that Akwa Ibom is not a place of crime. If you come from anywhere to perpetrate crime in the streets of Akwa Ibom, SARS, Anti-kidnapping and Anti-robbery team will find you out. There is zero tolerance for crime in the state as championed by the Commissioner of Police, Murtala U. Mani. We will take the battle to the den of kidnappers and robbers and make sure that we kick them out of Akwa Ibom State.’’

She harped on the need for citizens to be vigilant and give necessary information to the police that will aid the battle against criminal elements in the state. She condemned crime in its entirety, noting that kidnappers and their cohorts are not fit to live in the society. She promised that kidnapping will soon be history in the state, urging citizens to go about their legitimate businesses. She warned those who use Motorcycle in the rural areas to stop forthwith in their best interest. She stressed that there is no room for robbers and kidnappers in the state, noting that the Police is in top shape hence will fight all forms of crimes to a standstill.

The kidnap gang was led by one Emediong Emmanuel Uwah of Inen Village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. They were said to have kidnapped one Aniefiok Ekanem Peter (female) and Promise Moses Akpan (female) all of Inen Ikot Etim Village in Oruk Anam Local government Area and reportedly collected a ransom of 180, 000, 000 (One Hundred and Seventy Thousand Naira) out of the N5,000, 000 they demanded from their victims. They victims spent six days in the kidnappers’ den. 

The suspects, upon arrest and interrogation, confessed to the crime. During investigation, one locally made Pistol used by the gang was recovered. One of the suspects, a physically challenged lad in his early 20s, Ikoedem Effiong, from Oruk Anam LGA, accused of being the Grand Master of the kidnap syndicate, denied being a member of the gang, explaining that he was only a Motorcyclist.  Suspected Leader of the gang, Emediong Emmanuel Uwah, while answering question from Journalists stated that he went to a Vigil and his friend, Imoh told him and his friend, Ukeme that there is a woman who has some money in the house. “I bought the idea and told him that I will use my Motorcycle. We went and kidnapped the woman. We took her to a bush in Enen Ekefre in Oruk Anam, (Saipend road) to be precise. We demanded N5, 000, 000 but they gave us just 180, 000. My share was 30, 000.’’Asked how many they were in number, he explained that they were seven. He also confessed to engaging in other crimes including robbery.

Another suspect, Imoh denied handling any gun but accused Emediong Emmanuel of providing the six guns and weapons that were used for the crime. Other members of the gang include, Ukeme Ufot Akpan, Ndiana Samuel Akpan, Lucky Akpan, and Nkeruwem Okon Akpan.
 

Speaking with Journalists at his office, Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Murtala U Mani, commended Journalists for their effort in keeping the society abreast with happenings in the society. He noted that no society can survive without information and urged the citizens to give useful information to the police, adding that it will go a long way in helping the police stamp out crime in the state.