Police arrest woman who ‘kidnapped’ self, 52 others
The police commissioner in Akwa Ibom state, Waheed Ayilara, disclosed in a news conference in Uyo on Friday, that the police have arrested a woman who staged her own abduction, along with 52 others involved in various crimes including murder, kidnap, armed robbery, child trafficking, cultism, and fraud.
According to Ayilara, one of the “victims” of kidnapping, a female from Nung Oku Village in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom, actually orchestrated her own kidnapping. She demanded a ransom of N4 million but was apprehended by the police.
“A report was received on Monday from one Enobong Sampson that her sister had been kidnapped and that the kidnappers were demanding N4 million as ransom. As a result, operatives of the anti-kidnapping squad of the command embarked on an intense and intelligence-driven operation to track down the kidnappers and rescue the victim. On Tuesday, however, the purported victim and her boyfriend were arrested at a hideout at Mbierebe Obio, Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. She confessed to have conspired with her boyfriend and three others to proclaim her kidnap to raise money from her aunty based outside the country,” Ayilara stated.
Furthermore, Ayilara mentioned that on Wednesday, the police arrested a man in Uruting village in Okobo Local Government Area for killing his 75-year-old father with a machete, allegedly due to a dispute over land.
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Additionally, on March 8, the police apprehended a man at Ayam village in Etinan Local Government Area for involvement in the production of adulterated fruit drinks and fake products. Another individual was rescued and arrested for using Point of Sale (POS) machines to defraud innocent citizens.
Ayilara assured that all the suspects would be arraigned as soon as investigations were concluded, and he pledged to work with stakeholders to address security challenges in the state.
The police commissioner emphasized the commitment of the police force to collaborate with stakeholders to ensure the continued peace and security of Akwa Ibom state.
