21 Cult Groups Exist In Akwa Ibom-New Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner

MAIDEN PRESS BRIEFING OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AKWA IBOM STATE POLICE COMMAND, CP DON AWUNAH fsi, Amnipr HELD ON WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2017 AT THE STATE HEADQUARTERS, IKOT AKPAN ABIA, UYO, AKWA IBOM STATE

Good afternoon

Gentlemen of the Press. It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to my maiden press briefing as the Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State. To God be the Glory.

The Press and the Police have a unique and strong historical relationship as we are both stakeholders in our strive for peace and security of the state and the safety of lives and property. I intend to deepen and strengthen this relationship for our mutual benefits and actualization of national goals from the standpoint of peace and security.

My posting to Akwa Ibom State is obviously a homecoming to me having served here previously as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge, State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) during which time I enjoyed much good will from the good people of this wonderful State. An experience that will form an index of greater performance and delivery of quality service.

I must begin by commending and appreciating the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, His Excellency Deacon Udom Emmanuel and my predecessor CP Murtala Mani for the excellent security architecture I met on ground on my assumption of duty.  His Excellency has been very supportive in matters concerning the Police by not just giving a listening ear but also in providing basic critical logistics which has not only given a boost to the morale of Officers but has also enhanced our operational capability and efficiency.

As there is no limit to improvement, we intend to raise the bar in our crime prevention and reduction strategy.  In this regard, we have mapped and sectorized the State for optimal service delivery to the people. A careful analysis of the state crime profile revealed that cultism, kidnap for ransom, murder, stealing, to be the most prevalent crimes committed in the State.  This gave rise to the birth of ‘OPERATION IMPACT’; a crime reduction strategy aimed among other things, at:

(a)        Ridding the State of armed robbery, kidnapping rape, cultism and all other anti-social behaviours,

(b)        Apprehending all criminal elements, their collaborators, conduct a thorough, discreet investigation into their activities,

(c)         Sustaining a coordinated crackdown on crime and criminalities designed to impact positively on the state, engender quality of life and promote peace and security,

(d)        And in respect of rule of law, arraign all proven cases in courts of competent jurisdiction.

In the few days following the launch of OPERATION IMPACT the gains are huge and encouraging particularly in Ikot Ekpene Police Area Command of the State.  Some of the successes recorded among others include:

1. KIDNAPPING:  Kidnap for ransom has been a source of concern in the State. During the design of Operation Impact, strategies were put in place to curb this menace. Consequently, a notorious kidnap gang was smashed by operatives leading to the rescue of a Reverend Father of St. Michael Parish, Ikot Etim village in Ukanafun Local Government Area on the 18th of February, 2017. Upon interrogation, the gang members confessed to have been behind many high profile kidnap cases in the State which include among others, the kidnap of a lecturer in the State University and a political party stalwart. The suspects are currently under investigation.

EXHIBITS RECOVERED INCLUDE:

1. one AK-47 Riffle

1. 5 rounds of 9mm ammunition,

iii.          One locally made pistol with rounds of ammunition,

1. One Nissian Primera with registration No. GGE 861 DO

1. The Sum of #180,000.00.

2. ARMED ROBBERY

On the 11th of February, 2017, one Nkereuwem Victor ‘m’ aged 25 years the suspect was arrested on a motorcycle in Ukanafun LGA of Akwa Ibom State at about 1900hrs, enroute an armed robbery operation. The arrest has given insight to gangs who specialize in robbing unsuspecting citizens using motorcycles business as a ploy.

SUSPECT:

1. Nkereuwem Victor ‘m’ aged 25 years.

EXHIBITS:

1. One locally made pistol.
2. Three live cartridges.

iii.        Face mask.

1. Torchlight.

3. CULTISM: Indepth crime analysis also revealed the prevalence of cultism in the State. These cult groups identified in the State include:
4. The Luttons
5. The Red Skins
6. St. Stephens
7. Secret Sons of Satan

5      Sept II Group

6. De Well
7. Debam

8      Scavengers

9. Predators
10. King Cobra
11. Skylolo
12. J.V.
13. Bats
14. Black Cross
15. Black Ladies
16. Sons of Nights
17. White Angles
18. Junior Buccaneers
19. Blood Brotherhood
20. Musket
21. Daughters of Queen Amina

In furtherance to our OPERATION IMPACT our security operatives acting on a tip off arrested six cultists on the 12th of February 2017 and 14th of February 2017 who were planning to unleash mayhem on innocent members of the public.  The suspects are still under investigation.

1)     Emmanuel Nse Bassey ‘m’ aged 21 yrs

2)     Blessed Christopher Udoh ‘m’ aged 21 yrs

3)     Inemesit Akpan Essien ‘m’ aged 21 yrs

4)     Udeme Michael Christopher ‘m’ aged 31 yrs

5)     Nyaknno Effiong Ekanem ‘m’ aged 26 yrs

6)     Ubong Marshall Akpanudo ‘m’ aged 27 yrs

A comprehensive coordinated operation has been emplaced to curb the menace of cultism and related crimes throughout the State.

4. STEALING (CAR SNATCHING):

On the 16th day of February, 2017 at about 1500hrs, following intelligence shared between Lagos and Akwa Ibom State Commands one Kia Soul car with registration number UW 677 KJA, chassis/engine number KNAJT811BB7290086, chocolate brown in colour which was stolen at Lagos was recovered by our officers in Akwa Ibom State. The suspect confessed to pose as a driver to VIPs after which he disappears with their vehicles. His route of operation is usually between Lagos and Akwa Ibom State. Investigation uncovered several cars stolen by the suspect. Case is under investigation.

SUSPECT:

1. David Emmanuel Akpan ‘m’

EXHIBIT:

1. Kia Soul Car with Registration number UW 677 KJA.

5. VANDALIZATION OF INFRASTRUCTURE (STREET LIGHT):

On the 16th of February, 2017, at about 1625 hrs through credible intelligence, one Kelechi Ugwuchi ‘m’ of No. 10 Udi Street, Uyo Local Government Area was arrested by Detectives of this Command. Upon interrogation, he confessed to being a receiver and a dealer on high voltage second-hand batteries. Search of his shop and his business premises; equipment used for installation of solar energy street light were recovered. Suspect mentioned one Kingsley ‘m’ Abdullahi ‘m’, Sanko ‘m’, Gwadika ‘m’ as members of his criminal gang. Effort is being intensified toward the apprehension of the members of the gang now at large. Investigation is in progress.

SUSPECT:

1. Kelechi Ugwuchi ‘m’ age- 29 years.

EXHIBITS:

1. Four shoto GFMS-1000 sealed battery marked with the sign of MTN.
2. Ten Abisson ESU-G200 WH/A Energy storage unit.

iii.          Eight 6-GFM-92 x 14 12V 92AL cell constant voltage changing batteries.

1. Two big bags containing cable wires.
2. Two power wave 200 AH DC 12V batteries.
3. Two short bags containing cable wires.

vii.        One vehicles kick starter.

viii.       One Dolphine dry cell battery.

1. One King power dry cell battery.

6. CULTISM/MURDER

On the 11th of February, 2017, at about 1700hrs, some suspects were arrested in Ikotobong Village, Etim Ekpo LGA and they confessed being members of DE-BAM confraternity.

SUSPECTS:

1. Uduakobong Ime ‘m ‘ aged 20 years.
2. Goodluck Peter ‘m’ aged 22 years.

iii.          Udobong Imeh Isaac ‘m’ aged 20 years.

EXHIBIT:

1. One locally made revolver Pistol.

The aforementioned achievements would not have been possible without the immeasurable goodwill and support of the people of this great State who have relentlessly partnered with the Police in our renewed fight against crime. The commitment and dedication to duty of Officers of the Command, who work tirelessly day and night to ensure the people of Akwa Ibom State can sleep with both eyes closed is also worthy of mention. This is a continuous fight and our success is an indication that if we all work together we can overcome crime and make Akwa Ibom more secured and safer for political and socio-economic development. Our policing objectives will be anchored on the people and creative partnership.

It is common knowledge that policing is a collective agenda. In this regard, we have maintained active collaboration with sister security agencies in the sharing of actionable intelligence and coordinated onslaught against criminal elements.

The pivotal role of the Press, Traditional Rulers, Religious groups, Vigilante members, the Youths, PCRC, Stakeholders and Eminent Persons Forum and other non state actors within the framework of community policing cannot be overstressed. In this vein, the Command will build upon the existing synergy with these groups to ensure collaborative success in the fight against miscreants in the State.

We will also adopt a robust, pragmatic, and people oriented approach in our policing.  This approach is encapsulated in the Inspector General of Police (IGP’s) vision of democratic policing, respect for human rights, display of courage and compassion as well as demonstration of integrity and professionalism.

We wish to assure the good people of Akwa Ibom State and other members of the public, that the safety of their lives and property is paramount in the discharge of our duty.

They are however enjoined to report all suspicious movement and persons to the Police.

To the criminal elements, their days in criminal enterprise are numbered for there will be no hiding place in Akwa Ibom State as we are irrevocably committed in our onslaught against all criminal elements and their collaborators.

Finally, our guiding principle is service, service and SERVICE.

Thank you for coming and God bless.

Signed

Ag. CP Don Awunah fsi, Amnipr

Commissioner of Police,

Akwa Ibom State.