By: Theresa Donatus, Uyo.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a suspected fraud syndicate operating within the Uyo metropolis and its environs, arresting three suspects and rescuing an elderly victim.

According to a press release issued and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command and made available to our correspondence on Wednesday stated that the operation was carried out on Monday, February 3, 2026, at about 3:30 p.m., following credible intelligence received from a concerned and public-spirited individual.

The intelligence revealed the activities of a group of suspected fraudsters, locally known as “Utotoh,” who allegedly specialised in deceiving unsuspecting members of the public. The suspects were said to use an operational tricycle to lure and convey victims before employing deceptive and diabolical means to dispossess them of their money and other valuables.

Acting on the information, police operatives moved swiftly and arrested three male suspects identified as Otoabasi Ekpeyong (51), Ubong Sylvanus (42), and Sunday Akpan (60).

During the operation, an 81-year-old pensioner, identified as Friday, was rescued unhurt from the suspects.

The police also recovered the syndicate’s operational tricycle with registration number UFG-886-QA, reportedly without a motor number.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects confessed to the crime, admitting that they had fraudulently obtained money and other properties from several individuals within Uyo and surrounding areas.

The Command stated that investigations are ongoing to identify and reach out to other victims, obtain their statements, and arrest additional members of the criminal syndicate.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property and urged residents to continue to support law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information to aid crime prevention and detection.