The Akwa Ibom state Police command under the leadership of CP Donald Awunah has smashed a 13 member cultist gang that have been terrorizing the people of Eket, in particular, the Ikot Udota Community.
The cultist were apprehended just as another 8-man gang responsible for the death of the Secretary to Ukanafun Local Government Council, Obong Ime Willie Atakpa and his visitor, Akaninyene Udo Aka on Easter Sunday, 16/04/2017, at his Ukanafun Poultry farm were caught.
Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom, CP Awunah disclosed that ‘Operation Impact’, a crime reduction strategy put in place by the command has considerably reduced the level of crime in the state.
“The success is largely due to information volunteered by public spirited individuals of the state and most importantly the support and assistance of the state government” he said.
Regarding arrest of the cultist, he said, “On 13th May 2017, information gathered from Ikot Udota Community, at Eket Division revealed that a group of young men suspected to be cultists numbering about 12 were beating drums, dancing and shooting guns around the area.
“They were cordoned and arrested alongside seven female suspects by police men from Eket Division.
“Also On the 14/5/2017, one Intiedo Immanuel
Bob was arrested at Eket Motor Park with locally made pistol and 2.3mm ammunition. Investigation is ongoing.
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Awunah gave the names of the suspects as Ubong Sabisnus Ekpene, Effiong Inyang Effiong, Umium Thomas Uwe, Vicent Ubong Isaac, Smart Inyenime Besembe, Philip Emmanuel David.
Others are Simon Effiong Ekpenyong, Ubong Titus Akpan, Ndikponke Abasi Ime Udoh, Mfonabasi Samuel Robert, Nsimi Jackson Ekanem, Ekom Godwin Ekong and Intiedo Immanuel Bob.
He listed exhibits recovered as one Human skull, 4 locally made pistols, 2 live cartridges and eight expended cartridges, 7 drums and mystic charms, Large quantity of substance suspected to be Indian hemp and three face caps
On the killers of Obong Atakpa and his visitor, CP Awunah said, “On Easter Sunday 16th April, 2017 at about 09.30hrs, four armed men with two motorcycles went to the poultry farm of Obong Ime Willie Atakpa, the Secretary of Ukanfun Local Government Council at Ikot Udo Obodo village and shot him dead.
A pre-meditated assassination.
The four armed men namely Godwin Daniel Ikpe Alias One Man Chop, Aniefiok Eseme Etukudo alias Barbeach-Archor, Saturday Etim Isong alias *Saty* and English-man were arrested at different
locations in Port Harcourt on 22/5/2017, 23/5/2017 and 24/5/2017 respectively.
They have all confessed to the crime mentioning the Caretaker Committee Chairman of Ukanafun Local Government Area, Barrister Abasiono Jackson Udomfu as their sponsor.
Other suspects arrested in connection with this crime include Akaninyene Sunday Iwok, Aniedi Okon Udosen and Ekere Friday Joseph.
The Police said investigation is ongoing.
END
