By Emeka Samuel,Uyo
The Police in Akwa Ibom has arrested a middle-aged couple for the murder of their nine-year-old son over accusations of witchcraft.
They have also arrested one of the most wanted kidnap kingpins in the state Edidiong Uduak for several cases of armed robbery and kidnap in the area.
New state police commissioner Zaki Ahmed told a press conference in Uyo yesterday that the couple Okon Essien and Peace Okon at Oron axis of the state lured the deceased Joseph Okon to a mangrove swamp, killed and buried him in the swamp.
“The couple conspired and lured their
a son who they accused of witchcraft into an engine boat with the pretence of going to cut bamboo sticks in a swamp to be used for the construction of the kitchen.
“While at the swamp, the suspects’ removed concoction prepared with a poisonous seed called “asene” and water, used enema and pumped the concoction into the deceased’s stomach leading to his instant death.
“The suspects secretly dug a shallow grave in the swamp and buried the deceased.” The commissioner explained.
Ahmed who linked most crimes in the state to cultism said that the arrested kidnap kingpin confessed to be the overall leader of Vikings confraternity in Etinan LGA and has masterminded several kidnaps and armed robbery in the area.
He added that the suspect had been on the run for a long time and only resurfaced to carry out another evil act before he was arrested.
The command in the last few weeks Ahmed said also arrested several other suspects for armed robbery, selling of babies, cultism and kidnap in various parts of the state.
He stated that while some of the suspects would be charged to court immediately, others would be charged at the completion of investigations even as he called on the people of the area not to relent in giving useful and timely information to the police.
“The command under my watch will have zero tolerance for perpetrators of these crimes. I call on those perpetrating any form of criminality in the state to desist forthwith or quickly leave the state as no resources will be spared in ensuring that they are brought to book.
“Let me assure you that I am here to serve the good people of Akwa Ibom and I will do so professionally, respecting the rule of law and in accordance with international best practices.I shall prioritize intelligence-led policing, improve visibility policing, massive deployments of personnel, prompt response to distress calls and enhance community policing partnership.” He concluded.
