NSCDC apprehends eight suspects for abduction, child labour, and illegal mining in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has successfully apprehended eight suspects involved in various criminal activities, including the abduction of a minor, child labour, and illegal mining during separate operations within the state.

National Public Relations Officer (PRO) NSCDC, National Headquarters, Abuja CSC Babawale Afolabi said acting on credible intelligence, Commandant Eluwade Eluyemi directed the deployment of the Command’s tactical squad in a residence in Ndom Ebom, Uruan Local Government Area (LGA), where a 14-year-old boy, Master Wisdom Aniekpeno Efiok, had reportedly been abducted and subjected to one year of forced labor.

The minor was found engaged in fishing activities in riverine areas, extending into the high sea and even into Cameroon.
Commandant Eluwade.

At a press briefing at the State Command headquarters in Uyo, stated, “We received credible intelligence about a 14-year-old boy, Wisdom Aniekpeno Ifiok, who had been declared missing since January 2023. On Monday, 4th of January, 2024, my personnel raided the apartment where he was located in Ndom Ebom village in Uruan LGA and arrested seven suspects.”

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The main suspect, Mr. Otobong Aneitie Udoekong, who was identified as the mastermind behind the abduction and child labour, is currently under investigation for criminal conspiracy, abduction of a minor for one year, and subjecting the victim to child labour. The involvement of other suspects is being thoroughly examined to determine their level of culpability.

In a separate operation on January 5, 2024, NSCDC personnel arrested one suspect and seized two tipper trucks and a Peugeot car at a Borrow pit site in Ikot Anyang Offot Village, Ekpri Nsukara, Uyo Local Government Area. The arrested suspect, Mr. Peter Ime Okon, was engaged in illegal mining activities without the requisite mining license.

Commandant Eluwade emphasized the illegality of mining without a license, stating, “Illegal miners do not take the environment into consideration, and their activities endanger lives while robbing the government of revenue.” He assured that the NSCDC would continue its relentless efforts to combat illegal mining in Akwa Ibom State.

Commandant Eluwade urged the people of Akwa Ibom and residents to abstain from all forms of criminal activities, cautioning that the long arm of the law would catch up with offenders when apprehended.
Upon the conclusion of profiling and investigation, the suspects involved in the abduction and child labour case will be handed over to the relevant agency, while the illegal miner, Mr. Peter Ime Okon, will face charges in court.