At least eight suspects have been arrested by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Akwa Ibom Command, for offences ranging from abduction of minors, child labour and illegal mining in different operations in the state.
According to Vanguard, the State Commandant of NSCDC, Mr Eluyemi Eluwade, disclosed this at the Command’s headquarters in Uyo on Thursday.
Eluwade said through credible intelligence, the Command received report of abduction of a 14 years old Wisdom Ifiok, who was declared missing since January 2023.
He said that the Command on Jan. 4, raided a residence in Ndon Ebom in Uruan Local Government Area of the state where the boy was kept and arrested seven suspects in connection of the abduction.
“We received a credible intelligence about a 14 years old boy, Wisdom Aniekpeno Ifiok, who had been declared missing since January, 2023.
“On Monday, Jan. 4, 2024, my personnel raided the apartment where he was seen in Ndon Ebom village in Uruan LGA and arrested 7 suspects.
“The minor was taken for one year without the consent of his parents and was used to carry out fishing activities in riverine areas up to the high sea into Cameroon.
“The key suspect, who was the master to the minor, Mr Otobong Anietie Udoekong, is currently undergoing interrogation for criminal conspiracy, abduction of a minor and subjecting the victim to child labour.
“Other suspects are being profiled to ascertain their level of involvement,” Eluwade said.
