Akwa Ibom police arrest kidnapper attempting to collect N3m ransom after killing hostage

Friday, August 28, 2026 - 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.

The suspect, an indigene of Akai Ubium Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the state, was apprehended by operatives acting on intelligence gathered during the investigation.

Police said a mobile phone belonging to the deceased and allegedly used by the kidnappers to communicate ransom demands was recovered from Enoidem during the operation.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in its ongoing investigation into the kidnapping and m8rder of one Koffi (male), whose tragic d3ath was earlier reported to the Command on 24 August 2026,” the statement read.

"Following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, and in continuation of the Command’s intensified efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating within the State, operatives of the Command embarked on sustained intelligence-led follow-up operations aimed at identifying, apprehending those responsible for the heinous crime.

"Consequently, at about 2330hrs on 25 August 2026, operatives successfully arrested one Otuekong  Enoidem, a 29-year-old male, an indigene of Akai Ubium Village, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.

"The suspect was apprehended while allegedly attempting to collect a ransom of Three Million Naira (N3,000,000) from the deceased victim’s family.

"Significantly, during the operation, the mobile phone belonging to the victim and allegedly used by the kidnappers to communicate ransom demands was recovered from the suspect. 

"The recovery constitutes a critical piece of evidence expected to assist investigators in unraveling the circumstances surrounding the crime and establishing the roles played by other members of the criminal syndicate.

"The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare fsi, commends the operatives for their diligence, courage and professionalism, and assures members of the public that the Command will continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, strategic surveillance and sustained operational pressure against kidnappers and other criminal elements.

"The Command reiterates that there will be no safe haven for criminals in Akwa Ibom State. Those involved in kidnapping, murder and other violent crimes will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice in accordance with the law.

"Members of the public are equally encouraged to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information to the Police and other security agencies, as community cooperation remains crucial to the successful prevention and detection of crime.

“The Command assures the people of Akwa Ibom State that the safety and security of lives and property remain its foremost priority, and further developments will be communicated as the investigation progresses.”