Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a 29-year-old man, Otuekong Enoidem, over the alleged kidnapping and murder of a man in the state.
Enoidem, an indigene of Akai Ubium Village in Nsit Ubium Local Council, was reportedly arrested while allegedly attempting to collect a N3 million ransom from the victim’s family.
The arrest followed the reported death of the victim earlier in the week and a sustained intelligence-led operation by the police to identify and apprehend those allegedly responsible for the crime.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed the development in a statement.
According to the police, operatives recovered the victim’s mobile phone from the suspect during the operation.
The phone was allegedly used by members of the kidnapping group to communicate with the victim’s family and demand ransom.
“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 command described the recovery as a critical piece of evidence that could assist investigators in establishing what happened to the victim and determining the roles of other suspected members of the alleged criminal syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, commended the officers involved in the operation for their diligence, courage and professionalism.
Azare assured residents that the command would continue to rely on intelligence-led policing, strategic surveillance and sustained operations to tackle kidnapping and other forms of violent crime across the state.
The police maintained that there would be no safe haven for criminals in Akwa Ibom, stressing that anyone involved in kidnapping, murder or other violent offences would be pursued and brought before the law.
The Command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to security agencies.
According to the police, cooperation from residents remains important in preventing and detecting criminal activities.
The Command assured residents that the protection of lives and property remained its foremost priority, adding that further developments would be communicated as investigations continue.
