The Akwa Ibom State command of the Nigerian Police Force has announced the arrest of a pastor, Louis Akpojotor, for allegedly defiling his 14-year-old daughter.
The command public relations officer, Timfon John, announced the arrest while parading the suspects alongside others on Monday.
She said the suspect resides in Ibiono Ibom and hailed from Ughelli North LGA.
She added that investigation revealed that the suspect had been sexually assaulting the victim since she was 12 years old, with the latest incident occurring in December 2024.
Similarly, the command announced the arrest of six suspected child traffickers and rescued four victims from different locations of the state.
She said the operatives acting on intelligence on January 14, arrested one Roseline Dennis and Sunday Ekong for allegedly abducting two children of St Joseph Catholic School at Ikot Ofon Ikono.
She added that a preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had planned to move to Abia State to sell them.
The command spokesman also revealed that another set of child traffickers has been arrested for trafficking two children aged between 11 and 12 years from Ikot Edibom Village, Nsit Ubium LGA, and Mkpatak Village, Essien Udim LGA.
“On 14/01/2025, at about 0150 hrs, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, arrested one Roseline Dennis and one Sunday Udo Ekong, both of Ikwen village in Obot Akara LGA.
“The suspects abducted two children [names withheld], aged 4 and 2 years, both pupils of St. Joseph Catholic School, Ikot Ofon Ikono.
“Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects planned to transport the victims to Umuahia, Abia State, to sell them. Thankfully, the victims were rescued and reunited with their families. The suspects will face prosecution.
“In a related development, another set of suspected child traffickers from Abia state by the names Okwondu Nkpurunna, Vivian Izima Chamdin, Okozie Amarachi, and Christina Emmanuel Onyechi have been arrested.
“These suspects were caught trafficking two children (names withheld), aged 11 and 12 years, from Ikot Edibom Village, Nsit Ubium LGA, and Mkpatak Village, Essien Udim LGA, respectively.
“The victims, rescued unhurt in Abia State, will soon be reunited with their families while the suspects will be charged to court accordingly,” the statement said.
According to the police one suspect, Daniel Umoh, popularly known as Akaka, aged 32, was arrested in Abak Itenghe, Abak LGA, for defiling a girl (name withheld).
She disclosed that the suspect, armed with a machete, attacked and dragged the victim to the bush where he had carnal knowledge of her.
The command also announced recovery of firearms from suspected cultists in the state.
“On 14/01/2025, operatives arrested one Nsongurua Etim Okon ‘m’ [28 years], one Godspower Effiom Etim ‘m’ [46 years], and one Etieyen Joseph Bassey ‘m’ (34 years), all from Ekamba Nsukara Offot Village in Uyo LGA. A thorough search was conducted on them. Items received included one locally made pistol and a jackknife.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to belonging to the Italian Mafia Secret Cult Confraternity. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend one Udo ‘m’ [other names unknown], identified as the gang’s armourer. Investigations is in progress to arrest more suspects and recover their arms,” she added.
While assuring of the prosecution of the suspects, Mrs John reaffirmed that the command under the leadership of Baba Mohammed Azare remains resolute in its fight against all forms of crimes and criminalities.