OPERATIVES from the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have rescued four victims of child trafficking and apprehended six suspected traffickers within the state.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, announced this during a press conference yesterday where the suspects were paraded.
She noted that the arrests were made at various locations based on credible intelligence.
John explained that on January 14, 2025, police arrested Roseline Dennis and Sunday Ekong for allegedly abducting two children from St. Joseph Catholic School in Ikot Ofon Ikono.
A preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects intended to transport the children to Abia State for sale.
Another group of suspected child traffickers was also arrested for trafficking two children, aged 11 and 12, from Ikot Edibom Village in Nsit Ubium LGA and Mkpatak Village in Essien Udim LGA.
“On January 14, 2025, at approximately 1:50 AM, our operatives arrested Roseline Dennis and Sunday Udo Ekong, both from Ikwen village in Obot Akara LGA. They abducted two children (names withheld), aged four and two, both pupils of St. Joseph Catholic School in Ikot Ofon Ikono.
“Preliminary investigations indicated that they planned to transport the victims to Umuahia, Abia State, to sell them. Fortunately, the victims have been rescued and reunited with their families, and the suspects will face legal action.
“In a related incident, additional suspected child traffickers from Abia State, identified as Okwondu Nkpurunna, Vivian Izima Chamdin, Okozie Amarachi, and Christina Emmanuel Onyechi, were arrested for trafficking two other children (names withheld), aged 11 and 12.
“These victims were rescued uninjured in Abia State and will soon be reunited with their families, while the suspects will be prosecuted,” the statement continued.
On the subject of defilement, John reported the arrest of a suspect named Daniel Umoh, also known as Akaka, aged 32, in Abak Itenghe, Abak LGA, for defiling a minor (name withheld).
She explained that the suspect, armed with a machete, attacked and dragged the victim into the bush where he violated her.
“Based on credible intelligence, operatives arrested Daniel Effiong Umoh a.k.a. Akaka, 32, from Abak Itenghe, Abak LGA, for defiling a girl (name withheld). The suspect, armed with a machete, assaulted and dragged the victim into the bush, where he forcibly had unlawful carnal knowledge of her. Further investigations revealed a history of sexual offenses committed by this suspect against other teenage girls. He will face the full extent of the law.
“We also arrested Louis Akpojotor Mevoweoyo, a pastor from Ughelli North LGA residing in Ibiono Ibom, for sexually assaulting his daughter (name withheld). Investigations revealed that this suspect had been abusing the victim since she was 12, with the most recent incident occurring in December 2024. He will also be prosecuted,” she added.
