A 44-year-old man named Paul Edu has been arrested by the Akwa Ibom State command of the Nigeria Police Force on charges of sexual assault involving a member of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This information was revealed by the State Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, during a press briefing at the command’s headquarters in Ikot Akpan, Abia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Tuesday.
CP Ayilara reported that Edu, the son of the landlord of the assaulted individual, was taken into custody on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at approximately 3:15 am in Ukana Iba village, Essien Udim Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.
The police chief explained that the incident occurred after the accused forcibly brought the victim to his home, where he engaged in sexual activity with her without her consent.
He stated, “On July 20, 2024, around 3:15 pm, a National Youth Service Corps member residing in Ukana Iba village reported that at approximately 3:00 am, Paul Samuel Edu, 44 years old (her landlord’s son), knocked on her door. Upon opening the door, Edu threatened her with a machete and ordered her to accompany him to his room for a discussion, or he would harm her.
“Upon arriving at Edu’s room, he locked the door, tore her clothes, and sexually assaulted her. The suspect was apprehended, and a machete and a slaughter knife were recovered from him. The investigation is ongoing.”
CP Ayilara also highlighted other significant achievements by the command during this period, including the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and the recovery of firearms. Additionally, suspects involved in vandalism, armed robbery, and child trafficking were arrested.
He further detailed that a raid was conducted on a private mortuary in Ekeya, Okobo Local Government Area, following intelligence received after the arrest of a kidnapping syndicate.
The syndicate, led by a fugitive kidnapper known as Ubong Effiong Archibong, alias ‘Condiment,’ was implicated in the abduction and murder of several individuals in the state. Through thorough investigation and reliable intelligence, police operatives dismantled the operations of this notorious syndicate.
“The kidnapping syndicate is responsible for numerous kidnappings and murders. During the raid, firearms were found at a private mortuary used as an armory in Ekeya, Okobo L.G.A. The recovered firearms include two AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, one double-barrel rifle, one single-barrel rifle, five magazines, and seven live ammunition,” CP Ayilara concluded.
