By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
For residents of Ikot Ambang and its environs in Ibiono Ibom and Uyo local government areas of Akwa Ibom State, the activities of a blood thirsty Wisdom Sunday Akpan have caused them months of nightmare.
But the saying by our forebears that nine days are for the thief, while one day is for owner of the farm, cannot be broken but remains potent. This, is what has befallen the once notorious Wisdom as he has been lavishly overpowered and sent home to be with his kind somewhere unknown by strength of the Police in broad daylight.
According to statement on Thursday, signed by the State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko Macdon, Wisdom was neutralised by operatives of the command’s Special Weapons And Tactics (SWAT) Team, while he was out for operation.
The statement described Wisdom as “One of the most deadly armed robbers in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command wanted list, responsible for the murder of about thirteen (13) persons, and shooting of about twenty-two (22) others, and who has dispossessed innocent Akwa Ibomites, mostly residents of Ikot Ambang, Ikot Efun, Ikot Inuan, Itak, Ikot Osukpong, Okobo Ibiono, etc in Ibiono LGA and parts of Uyo LGA”
“The said Wisdom, who shot at Police Operatives while attempting to arrest him, is a remnant of a dreaded armed robbery gang, led by the late Malachi Uwem Friday.” The statement added.
Narrating further, SP Macdon said, “On 22nd July, he murdered one Nsikan Vincent Udo of Ikot Inua village at Ikot Efun junction and made away with his new Q-link motorcycle. On the 8th of July, he shot and injured one Jesse Johnson and two others in a POS Shop at Ikot Ambang junction. while on the 5th of the same month, he shot and maimed one Augustina Dominic at her Supermarket.
“Many POS operators, filling stations, supermarket owners, market men and women have been dispossessed of millions of Naira by Wisdom, who succeeded in spreading a lot of fear before meeting his waterloo.”
Exhibits recovered from him include, a locally reconstructed pump action with the look of an AK-47, cartridges, a Q-link motorcycle, assorted charms, a mask.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Olatoye Durosinmi has however, warned criminal elements in the state to leave the state immediately or get ready to dance the new song.
While commending the relentless efforts of Officers and Men of the Command, especially SWAT and F-Division, Ikot Ambang for a job well done, the CP also commended residents of the state who have trusted the Police with useful information and called for more collaboration to keep the state safer.
Meanwhile, the success story by the police has been greeted by commendations from the people of the state as read from the PPRO and Media Friends WhatsApp page.
Though for some obvious reasons, their names are withheld but some comments read, “Great job by the officers and men of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command for bringing him down. He was notorious!
“Kudos to the police for a job well-done..the infant terrible was a big nightmare for the residents of Ibiono Ibom. I saw some of his victims at the F division one Saturday morning early July. Let’ him join his senior colleague Malachi in hell.
“Kudos to the Nigeria Police, Akwa Ibom State Command; Congratulations, we are impressed. More should follow.”
