Police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested one Promise Boniface in Obio Ibiono Local Government Area, for alleged stealing of five children from a family.
Boniface was paraded at the State Police Command headquarters yesterday in Uyo along with other suspects recently apprehended for various crimes in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph Eribo, explained that the five children allegedly stolen by Boniface were rescued unhurt and reunited with their parents,
The CP disclosed that operatives of the command during a gun duel also neutralized one suspected kidnapper while others fled on a motorcycle.
He stated, "On 27/11/2024, at about 19:40 hours, operatives of the Command, while on patrol along Ikot Ekpene-Uyo Highway, received a distress call from a woman (name withheld), reporting that some armed men were attempting to kidnap her husband.
"The operatives of the Command rushed to the scene. Upon arrival, the armed assailants opened fire, leading to exchange of gunfire. During the gun duel, one suspect was neutralized, while others fled the scene on a motorcycle.
"Items recovered from the scene include one cut-to-size AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition, one empty shell, one bag containing substances suspected to be charms and one business card bearing name of a certain individual. Investigation is ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects."
In another operation, Eribo said, "On credible information, the Command’s operatives stormed a gun-making factory where firearms of various makes were fabricated and sold to criminals.
"During the operation, one David Nse Emmanuel ‘m’ was arrested, while his father, Akpan Nse Emmanuel ‘m,’ and his brothers, who jointly run the business, fled.
"Items recovered include seven newly made single-barrel guns, five newly made double-barrel guns, one special steel double-trigger pistol, one broken single-barrel gun, one trigger-handle walking stick knife, and several cut iron pipes used for constructing gun barrels.
"Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and trace those who purchased or ordered firearms from them."
"Also on 14/11/2024, at about 15:10hrs, the command received a distress call from one woman (name withheld), who reported that five (5) of her children had been taken away by an unknown man on a motorcycle.
"The Command’s operatives swung into action in the company of villagers from Mbiakpan Ikot Idim and Obio Ibiono. The suspect, one Promise Boniface ‘m’, was given a hot chase and arrested at Obio Ibiono. The five (5) children were rescued unhurt and reunited with their parents. The motorcycle used by the suspect in committing the crime was recovered"
The Commissioner of Police also paraded criminal suspects arrested for armed robbery, and car theft, among others.
He noted that members of armed robbery gang namely Joshua Linus, Isaac Archibong, and Christian Archibong were arrested on October 25, 2024, following a distress call from a youth leader of a particular community that the gang had invaded the residence of one woman and a POS operator (name withheld), and robbed her of her business money and other valuables.
"On 24/10/2024, at about 23:50 hrs, a man (name withheld) reported via a distress call that he was attacked by three armed men wearing black masks while driving his black Toyota Camry car. The armed men fired sporadically, dragged him out of the vehicle, and drove off.
"Operatives of the Command traced the suspects to Aba, Abia State, and arrested five individuals: Clement Ime Okon, Thomas Effiong, Joseph Okon Edem, Saviour Agbor, Matthew Elijah Stephen.
"The stolen car was recovered at a car stand where it was being negotiated for sale. Further investigation led to the recovery of three locally made pistols and charms. The suspects will have their day in court.
"On 25/10/2024, Information at the Command’s disposal led to the recovery of a black Toyota Corolla car, registration number ETN 674AA, suspected to have been stolen. Acting swiftly , operatives of the Command arrested one Kingsley Ernest Nelson ‘m,’ aged 38 years. Investigations revealed that the suspect had been previously charged to court twice and remanded for similar offenses.
"He confessed to starting his car-stealing operations in 2017, collaborating with partners based in Rivers State. Items recovered include one Toyota Sienna car with registration number DUU 692NZ, one Toyota Rav4 jeep with registration number ETN 676AA (colored white), master keys used to unlock vehicles forcefully, six fake car documents. Investigations are ongoing to recover more stolen vehicles.
"I want to assure all citizens and residents of Akwa Ibom State that the Command will continue to intensify its efforts against crime and stand firm in its duty to protect lives and property. Akwa Ibom remains one of the safest states in the country, and we are determined to ensure it stays that way", the CP added.
During interview by newsmen, the suspect, Promise Boniface denied going to steal the five children from the family compound, in Obio Ibiono area, saying he saw the children along the road while it was raining and picked them.
However, asked why he decided to go into child stealing, he simply responded, "It is condition that led me to do it. This is my first time of doing this "
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