The Police in Akwa Ibom have killed a notorious serial killer and armed robber, Malachi Uwem, said to be responsible for several killings around Ibiono Ibom, Itu ,Ikot Ekpene and parts of Uyo Local Councils in the last six months.
Uwem and his gang were alleged to have killed over 15 persons, leaving some of his victims permanently maimed, some presently in hospitals, while others are counting their losses from his barbaric robbery acts, which has led to the closing of many businesses, especially POS, in these places.
In a statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, Odiko Macdon in Uyo yesterday, Uwem and his gang famed to have powers to disappear while being pursued by the Police and local vigilantees were gunned down by the Special Weapon and Tactical Sqaud, SWAT, of the state Police Command at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Council of Cross River.
“But on assumption of duty as the 30th Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Andrew Amiengheme, Psc+, fdc, vowed to spare no resources in ridding the state of criminal elements like Malachi and their gang members.
“Therefore, on the marching order and close supervision of the CP, today April 28th, 2022 at about 0300hrs, in a painstaking operation, Operatives of Special Weapons And Tactics Squad (SWAT) of the Command led by CSP Julian Igbudu, traced the hoodlums to their hideouts at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Government Area Of Cross River State.
“The said Malachi Friday Uwem, his second in command Wisdom Sunday Akpan ‘m’, 31 years, Ndifreke Sunday Ebong ‘m’ 20yrs, and Annansia Umoh ‘m’ 33yrs resisted arrest and engaged the Operatives in a gun duel, and in the ensuing milieu, Malachi and two other gang members were fatally injured while attempting to escape and later gave up the ghost.” It said.
According to the statement, items recovered from the gang include one Cut to Size Pump Action Gun,
one Locally made Pistol, a large number of cartridges,one Gas Head with a resemblance of a Gun and assorted types of charms.
“The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State is thankful and congratulates the personnel of SWAT, other Tactical Teams, the Government, the Intelligence community, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State.
“He emphatically warned, that Akwa Ibom State can never be a safe haven for hoodlums as the command under his watch will continue to spare no resources in bringing perpetrators to book.
“Those involved in any form of heinous crimes in the state have therefore been warned to relocate from the state or be smoked out as there will be no hiding place henceforth.” The statement said.
It would be recalled that on 20/2/22, the notorious armed Robber and serial killer robbed and shot one Miss Lovina Eze Chiwendu, a Youth Corper at Ikot Ambang and made away with her iphone, ATM card and the sum of Seven Thousand Naira, she died last week at Enugu Teaching Hospital.
Also, on 21/2/22, the suspect robbed and killed a lady teacher returning from school at Okobo Ibiono who had stopped over at a POS shop, this resulted to a protest by Youths of the area who blocked the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Expressway.
Furthermore, on 5/3/22, one Mrs Idongesit Damson was shot and killed in her house at Okobo Ibiono by the suspect.
He was said to have also shot one Wisdom, whice also led to a protest and blockage of the Uyo/Ikot Ekpene Expressway.
Several POS shops and filling stations have been robbed by the suspect and his gang at Okobo Ibiono, Itak axis and Uyo while only recently, he shot and killed two young men on the grounds that the village was only able to raise five million Naira out of the N20 Million he demanded.
