The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested four individuals posing as officers from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). They were allegedly planning to kidnap a victim and demand a N150 million ransom. The suspects, paraded at the command headquarters in Uyo on Monday, were identified as Emmanuel Augustine Akpayak (27), Echem Ovurizichi Weneka (27), Promise Udofia (28), and Jeremiah Johnson Okon (38).
Commissioner of Police Waheed Ayilara stated that Emmanuel Akpayak masterminded the plot to kidnap and kill his creditor, to whom he owed over N12 million. The plan involved extorting N150 million from the victim and eliminating him to avoid repaying the debt. The suspects were caught with EFCC vests and uniforms used to impersonate the anti-graft agency during the operation.
The investigation revealed that Akpayak had engaged armed men and procured EFCC vests for the operation. The victim was lured to Akpayak’s house, where the vests were recovered. Akpayak admitted that the intended victim was his business associate, whom he owed money. When attempts to settle the debt failed, Akpayak resorted to hiring thugs and obtaining EFCC vests online to intimidate and extort N150 million from the victim, who he claimed was involved in internet fraud.
The Commissioner of Police also paraded other suspects, including advance fee fraudsters targeting POS operators in Uyo. On June 21, 2024, a POS operator named Glory Uko Okon reported that three individuals—Donald Ita Nyong, Rex Clement Uso, and Kingsley Mathias Joekim—had defrauded her of N320,000. They pretended to make a withdrawal and, during the transaction, managed to access and withdraw the funds before fleeing. The suspects were later arrested and confessed to the crime.
In another case, the police arrested a child trafficking syndicate. Acting on intelligence, the command apprehended Michael Emmanuel Edet, Ability Henry Tom, and Uwem Udoh Moses for stealing a 12-year-old boy while he was selling groundnuts. The boy was taken to Ovum Community in Obingwa L.G.A., Abia State, and sold for N400,000 to Loveth Nkwankwo. Further investigation led to Nkwankwo’s arrest, and the suspects confessed, promising to help capture other members of the syndicate. The child was rescued and reunited with his family.
Commissioner Ayilara assured that all suspects would face charges in court. He urged residents of Akwa Ibom to continue providing useful information to help eradicate crime. He also thanked Governor Umo Eno for his support and pledged to ensure security and peace in the state.