Police arrest man for raping corps member in A’Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police have arrested 44-year-old Paul Edu for allegedly abusing a member of the state’s National Youth Service Corps.

The state Police Commissioner, CP Waheed Ayilara, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo Akwa Ibom State.

He said the suspect, the son of the landlord of a NYSC member, was arrested on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim Local Government Area of ​​the state at about 3.15pm after he summoned her to his home where he had sexual intercourse with her.

He said: “On 20/07/2024 at about 3:15pm, a member of the National Youth Service Corps residing at Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim reported that at about 3am, a certain Paul Samuel Edu, 44 years old (the son of her landlord) knocked on her door.

“When she opened the door, the said Paul swung a machete at her and ordered her to follow him to his room for a conversation or he would harm her.

“When he reached the suspects’ room, he locked the door, tore her clothes and had sexual intercourse without her consent. The suspect was arrested and a machete and a butcher’s knife were recovered from him. The investigation is ongoing.”

The CP also announced other breakthroughs recorded by the command during the reporting period, including the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and recovery of firearms, the arrest of vandalism suspects, the arrest of an armed robbery syndicate and child trafficking suspects, to name a few.

He said the command also discovered an arms cache in a private morgue in Ekeya in Okobo Local Government Area of ​​the state, adding that operatives of the command stormed the place (morgue) after receiving intelligence information about the arrest of a kidnapping syndicate.

According to the Commissioner, the syndicate led by a wanted kidnapper, one Ubong Effiong Archibong, also known as “Condiment”, is said to be responsible for the kidnapping and murder of several persons in the state.

“Operators of the Command, through credible information and thorough investigation, have recovered firearms and ammunition used by a notorious kidnapping syndicate led by a wanted kidnapper, one Ubong Effiong Archibong, also known as Condiment.

“The kidnapping syndicate is responsible for the abduction and murder of several persons. The said firearms were recovered from a private morgue used as an arms depot in Ekeya, Okobo LGA.

“The firearms are two (2) AK-47 rifles, two (2) G3 rifles, one (1) double-barrelled rifle, one (1) single-barrelled rifle, five (5) magazines and seven (7) live ammunition.”