Mohammed Shosanya
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has uncovered an armoury concealed within a private mortuary in Ekeya, Okobo Local Government Area.
Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara,disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, on Tuesday.
The operation,he said,was initiated following the capture of a notorious kidnapper, Ubong Effiong Archibong, known as ‘Condiment,’ who was allegedly behind numerous kidnappings and murders in the state.
“Through credible intelligence and a meticulous investigation, our operatives recovered firearms and ammunition from a private mortuary used as an armoury by the syndicate. The leader of this gang, Ubong Effiong Archibong, and his accomplices are responsible for multiple kidnappings and killings.” CP Ayilara stated.
He listed recovered arsenal to include; Two AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, one double-barrel rifle, one single-barrel rifle, five magazines, seven live ammunitions.
In another incident, the police arrested 23-year-old Daniel Edem Okon. He reportedly hired a commercial motorcyclist from Idoro Road to Mbikpon Ikot Edim, only to murder him on a deserted path, bury him in a shallow grave, and steal his motorcycle.
“On July 12, 2024, at about 8:30 pm, our patrol operatives apprehended two suspects, Daniel Edem Okon and Samaila Salisu, on a motorcycle without an identification number near Timber Market, Uyo,” Ayilara said. “After rigorous interrogation, Okon confessed to the murder of the rider, Saviour Anthony Effiong, aged 45.”
“The victim’s decomposed body was later exhumed and deposited in a morgue”,he added
CP Ayilara also paraded several other suspects accused of crimes including kidnapping, rape, trafficking, and vandalism. He assured that all suspects would face justice upon the completion of investigations.
