Police arrest six suspected child traffickers, one pastor for alleged defilement in Akwa Ibom
By Princess Don, Uyo.
The Akwa Ibom Police Command has arrested six suspects, including five females and one male, in separate incidents across three local government areas.
During a press briefing in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo on Monday, Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, revealed that four of the suspects including Okwondu Nkpurunna, Vivian Chamdin, Okezie Amarachi, and Christina Onyechi were apprehended for trafficking two children, aged 11 and 12, from Ikot Edibom in Nsit Ubium and Mkpatak in Essien Udim. The children were rescued unscathed in Abia State and will soon be reunited with their families.
The CP explained that the arrests were based on credible intelligence and assured the public that the suspects would face prosecution. He emphasized the police’s commitment to maintaining safety and upholding the law across the state.
In a related case, two other suspects, Rose Dennis and Sunday Ekong, were arrested in Obot Akara local government area on January 14 for allegedly abducting two children, aged four and two, from St. Joseph Catholic School in Ikono.
The suspects had planned to transport the children to Umuahia, Abia State, for sale, but thanks to timely intervention, the victims were rescued and returned to their families.
Furthermore, CP Azare addressed the arrest of Louis Akpojotor Mevoweoyo, a pastor from Ibiono Ibom, for the alleged defilement of his daughter. The suspect, arrested on Monday, has been accused of abusing his daughter since she was 12 years old.
The case has raised serious concerns about the safety of children and the breach of trust by a religious leader.
The Commissioner urged vehicle owners to comply with relevant legal obligations to avoid facilitating trafficking and other criminal activities. The police reaffirmed their dedication to upholding public trust through diligent law enforcement efforts.
