The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully foiled a coordinated attempt by a suspected child trafficking syndicate to abduct three children in the state.
The incident, which unfolded in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, was cut short along the Ekparakwa-Uyo road as the suspects attempted to flee with their victims to an unknown destination.
Thanks to a swift response by security operatives and vigilant local youths who mounted a strategic roadblock upon receiving a tip-off, the children were successfully rescued unharmed.
In a statement released to journalists in Uyo by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, the police confirmed the arrest of two key suspects at the scene.
The individuals were identified as 39-year-old Emmanuel Johnny, a native of Ikot Etobo (Itokpo) village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area who currently resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and 28-year-old Ifiok Umoh from Ikot Ikpene village in the Oruk Anam council area.
The breakthrough came on the evening of June 3, 2026, at approximately 7:00 PM, after the command received a distress call from a concerned citizen.
Police detectives were immediately mobilized, cordoning off major entry and exit routes across the area. During the intensive search operation, officers intercepted a suspicious minibus, inside which the three missing children were discovered and subsequently secured.
Following their rescue, the police confirmed that the traumatized children have been safely reunited with their respective families. Meanwhile, the two arrested suspects remain in police custody as investigations intensify.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, highly commended the rapid deployment of his operatives and praised the community youths whose alertness and timely intervention played a pivotal role in saving the children.
Moving forward, CP Azare has ordered a comprehensive and discreet investigation to track down, identify, and apprehend any remaining members of the criminal network.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has reiterated its appeal to the public to maintain high levels of vigilance and to consistently feed security agencies with credible, actionable information, promising that all intelligence provided will be treated with absolute confidentiality.
