WATCH: Akwa Ibom Women Arrested For Abducting, Selling Teenage Boy For N600,000
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two women for the kidnapping and sale of a five-year-old boy for N600,000.
The suspects, identified as 35-year-old Blessing Elijah Sylvester from Ikot Enua in Ibesikpo Asutan and 50-year-old Ofonime Etim Essien from Ikot Abiyan in Nsit Atai, were paraded alongside other criminal offenders.
Confirming the arrest, the State Police Commissioner, CP Joseph Eribo, on Monday, during a press briefing in Uyo, stated that the two women were involved in the illicit trade of children, with the kidnapped boy being one of several victims trafficked out of the state for financial gain.
“There is also a case of child stealing where children are taken from this state and sold outside for various amounts, including a child sold for N400,000 and another sold for N600,000.
“We have two women and other suspects with us,” said CP Eribo.
Earlier he said the police arrested Okon Asuquo Etteokpo, the village head of Utit Antai in the Unyene community of Mbo Local Government Area, alongside 12 others, for allegedly kidnapping and beheading three marine hunters.
It was gathered that the gruesome incident occurred in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages, where the victims were buried in shallow graves after being beheaded.
Meanwhile, it was reported that the suspects, who kidnapped and murdered the hunters, received spiritual backing from the village head.
The police operatives found the corpses with their heads severed, buried in the remote forest location.
The commissioner further stated that the arrests were part of an ongoing investigation into criminal activities in the area, and efforts are underway to ensure justice is served.
According to Eribo, “On Thursday, August 29, 2024, following information received on August 18, 2024, that the marine hunters abducted and killed were buried in shallow graves within the community, the command’s operatives embarked on a hot chase of a gang of sea pirates/kidnappers led by one Success (other names unknown) who usually terrorised Oron waterways and its environs.”
The police stated that the intelligence gathered revealed that they were camping in a forest between Efiat and Unyenge villages in Mbo L.G.A.
Eribo added that the command operatives combed the areas and arrested the suspects.
He said that about 15 live cartridges were recovered from the suspects whom he listed as Jephtar Inwang, Clement Emmanuel, Promise Nkerobia, Anthony Atte, Nkereuwem Edet and Joseph Asuquo.
“Others include Anietie Tom, Gad Inwang, Emmanuel Otoyo Emmanuel, Daniel Ekpo, Mary Edet Isong and Godswill Jackson and the village head of Utit Antai village in Unyene community, Okon Asuquo Etteokpo, who is said to be their ally and spiritual fortified.
“Also paraded included Ukpono Etim Effiong, Samuel Young and Faith Richard for unlawful possession of firearms.”
