Two suspects allegedly involved in the kidnap of a former Board member of the Niger Delta Development Commission NDDC have been arrested by the police in Cross River state.
The suspected kidnappers, Godwin Emmanuel, 22 and Bassey Asuquo, 26 were arrested on April 2nd at about 13:20hours by police operatives on patrol.
The Commissioner of Police, Kayode Sikiru Akande, who confirmed the arrest while briefing newsmen on Tuesday said the suspects were sighted coming out of the creeks with one Day Long Motorcycle, “Upon the strength of information, the two suspects were arrested and are currently being investigated to ascertain the level of their involvement.”
The CP also disclosed that on the 26th of February 2021, upon receipt of a petition, a group of persons who called themselves Italian Mafia at King Duke, Akpabuyo LGA unlawfully attacked residents of the area.
The suspects set eighteen houses ablaze, robbed indigenes of their valuables and raped some females. ”They are Etim Okon Ekpenyoung, leader, Effiom Ekpenyoung Asuquo, Edem Okon Effiong, Anthony Bassey Timothy, Umoh Okon Effiom.
Also arrested were two notorious cultists by the Operatives Anti-Cultism/Kidnapping Squad (ACKS) while in search of a phone stolen by one Joseph Archibong, one locally-made pistol and one live cartridge were recovered from one Charles Emmanuel, age 22yrs and Cyril Emmanuel, aged 22 yrs.
The suspects were arrested and interrogated and they both confessed to being members of Skylo confraternity cult and had been using the said gun to carry out several cult activities in Calabar.
He said investigations were ongoing and that the suspects will soon be arraigned in court.