The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper, Otuekong Enoidem, in connection with the kidnapping and m8rder of a man identified as Koffi.
The spokesperson for the command, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Friday, August 28, 2026, said the suspect was arrested while allegedly attempting to collect N3 million ransom from the deceased’s family.
According to the statement, the arrest followed sustained intelligence-led operations launched by the command after the kidnapping and m8rder of Koffi was reported to the police on August 24.
Enoidem, a 29-year-old indigene of Akai Ubium Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state, was arrested at about 11:30 p.m. on August 25 while allegedly attempting to collect the ransom.
Police said a mobile phone belonging to the deceased and allegedly used by the kidnappers to communicate ransom demands was recovered from the suspect.
The command said the recovery of the phone was considered a significant piece of evidence that could assist investigators in establishing the circumstances surrounding the crime and identifying the roles of other suspected members of the criminal group.
The arrest followed a directive by the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, for operatives to intensify efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the state.
The commissioner commended the police operatives involved in the investigation for their diligence, courage and professionalism.
He assured residents that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, strategic surveillance and sustained operations against kidnappers and other criminal elements in the state.
The police command warned that there would be no safe haven for criminals in Akwa Ibom State, adding that those involved in kidnapping, m8rder and other violent crimes would be pursued and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide credible and timely information to the police and other security agencies to assist in preventing and detecting crime.
It added that further developments on the case would be communicated as the investigation progresses.
