A 13-year-old pupil of St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, has been arrested by the police for allegedly wielding a locally made pistol in school and threatening fellow pupils.
The suspect, identified as Samuel Sunday, was paraded alongside his father, Mr. Sunday, at the Akwa Ibom State Police Command Headquarters in Uyo.
The police alleged that Samuel had been in possession of the firearm since November 24, 2024, before he was eventually arrested on January 30, 2025.
Parading the suspects, the Command’s Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, stated, “Acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command moved swiftly on January 28, 2025, after receiving reports that a pupil was seen carrying a firearm and threatening to shoot his schoolmates.”
She further revealed that upon his arrest, Samuel confessed that he had taken the gun from a wardrobe in his father’s bedroom and had been in possession of it for over two months. “The father was later arrested. Investigation is still ongoing,” DSP John added.
Child Trafficking and Other Crimes
In another development, the police paraded two women, Roseline Maurice and Eno Udoka, for allegedly conspiring to steal and sell a child in Obong Itam Village, Itu LGA, in June 2024.
The suspects reportedly sold the victim for N200,000 to a regular buyer in Cross River State.
The police disclosed that proceeds from the sale were used to purchase a refrigerator, television, fan, and other valuables, all of which have been recovered.
The Command also exposed a child trafficking syndicate specializing in luring young girls into relationships with men, leading to pregnancies and the subsequent sale of babies.
“Based on a complaint from two 18-year-old girls that a woman attempted to traffic them to Cross River State for the purpose of getting pregnant and selling the babies, our operatives swung into action and arrested one Gift Essien Tommy and Peace Ekanem,” DSP John stated.
Sexual Abuse and Other Offenses
A 60-year-old man was also paraded for allegedly defiling a 9-year-old girl in a bush and offering her N200 as a “consolation fee.”
Other suspects paraded were arrested for crimes including cultism, armed robbery, vandalization of public infrastructure, drug peddling, and child theft.
The police assured that all suspects would be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
