9 Suspected Kidnappers, Cybercriminal Arrested In Akwa Ibom

The anti-kidnapping operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have busted a kidnapping syndicate, arresting two suspects in connection with a recent foiled attempt in Eket local government area of the State.

Also, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared that seven suspected cyber criminals, have been rounded up in parts of the State.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Akwa Ibom Command, DSP Timfon John, and her EFCC counterpart in-charge of Media and Publicity, Dele Ojewale, disclosed this separately in Uyo, the State capital, on Monday.

According to the Police Spokesperson, the two kidnap suspects were apprehended during diligent and painstaking intelligence and monitoring operations by officers and men of the Command.

“Following a painstaking intelligence-gathering operation, operatives of the Command, in a joint operation, apprehended two individuals on August 22, 2025, around 1:00am.

“The suspects have been identified as Victor Bassey Tom, a resident of Uqua Isi Edoho, in Esit Eket local government area, and one Nelson Samuel, from Okoroutip, in Eastern Obolo LGA.

“Victor Bassey Tom, who is popularly known by his two aliases “Igbo Man” and “Mami”, was identified by an earlier arrested suspect as the mastermind of the failed kidnapping attempt,” she said.

John disclosed that the suspect, who has been linked to several other kidnapping cases within the Eket area, has confessed to being part of the gang that recently kidnapped two top businessmen in the LGA.

“On the other hand, Nelson Samuel, is the boat operator who conveys the criminals and their victims to their creek,” John said.

She added that both suspects have been taken into custody for further investigation.

John added that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other individuals mentioned during the interrogation.

In the same vein, the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the EFCC, arrested seven suspected internet fraudsters during an early hour sting operation on Monday, August 25, at Uyeh Heaven and Ayam Estates within the Uyo metropolis.

“They were arrested following actionable intelligence on their suspected involvement in internet crimes,” Ojewale stated.

Ojewale listed the items recovered from the suspects to include five laptops, 10 mobile phones, and one iPad.

He stressed that the suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigations were concluded.