No fewer than eight suspects have been apprehended for various offenses, including the abduction of a minor, child labour and illegal mining in Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects were arrested and paraded by the state command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Confirming this, the National Public Relations Officer of NSCDC, NHQ Abuja, CSC Babawale Afolabi, said the operatives raided a residence in Ndom Ebom in Uruan Local Government Area where a 14-year-old, Master Wisdom Aniekpeno Efiok, was abducted to live and work for one year.
While addressing the media at the State Command headquarters in Uyo, CC Eluwade stated, “We received credible intelligence about a 14-year-old boy, Wisdom Aniekpeno Ifiok, who had been declared missing since January 2023.
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“On Monday, January 4, 2024, my personnel raided the apartment in Ndon Ebom village in Uruan LGA and arrested seven suspects. The minor was taken for one (1) year without the consent of his parents and was used to carry out fishing activities in riverine areas up to the high sea into Cameroon.”
The statement further revealed that Mr Otobong Aneitie Udoekong, identified as a mastermind suspect, is currently undergoing investigation for criminal conspiracy, abduction of a minor for one year, and subjecting the victim to child labor. Other suspects are also being profiled to determine their level of involvement.
In another operation on January 5, 2024, personnel of the Command arrested one suspect and impounded two (2) tipper trucks and a Peugeot car at a Borrow pit site in Ikot Anyang Offot Village, Ekpri Nsukara in Uyo Local Government Area for engaging in illegal mining activity.
The suspect, Mr Peter Ime Okon, was apprehended for carrying out mining activity without a mining license in the Local Government Area of the state.