The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested 44-year-old Paul Samuel Edu for allegedly raping a member of the National Youth Service Corps in the state.
The state Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing newsmen at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo.
He said the suspect, a son of the landlord to the NYSC member, was arrested on Saturday, July 20, 2024, at the Ukana Iba village, Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state at about 3:15 pm after ordering her to his house where he had carnal knowledge on her.
“On July 20, 2024, at about 3:15 pm, a National Youth Service Corps member residing at the Ukana Iba village in Essien Udim reported that at about 3:00 am, one Paul Samuel Edu 44 years (her landlord’s son) came knocking at her door.
“That on opening the door, the said Paul brandished her with a machete and directed her to follow him to his room for a talk or else he would harm her.
“On reaching the suspect’s room, he bolted the door, tore her clothes and had carnal knowledge without her consent. The suspect was arrested, and a machete and slaughter knife were recovered from him. The investigation is ongoing,” the CP said.
The CP also announced other breakthroughs recorded by the command within the period under review, including the arrest of a suspected kidnapper and recovery of firearms, the arrest of suspects for vandalisation, the arrest of an armed robbery syndicate and child trafficking suspects among others.
He said the command also uncovered an armoury in a private mortuary at Ekeya, in the Okobo Local Government Area of the state, adding that operatives of the command stormed the place (mortuary) after receiving intelligence following the arrest of a kidnapping syndicate.
According to the CP, the syndicate led by a wanted kidnapper, one Ubong Effiong Archibong, also known as ‘Condiment’, was allegedly responsible for the kidnapping and killing of several persons in the state.
“Operatives of the command through credible information and a painstaking investigation recovered firearms and ammunition used by a notorious kidnapping syndicate led by a wanted kidnapper, one Ubong Effiong Archibong, a.k.a Condiment.
“The kidnapping syndicate is responsible for the kidnapping and killing of several persons. The said firearms were recovered at a private mortuary being used as the armoury at Ekeya, Okobo L.G.A.
“The firearms are two AK-47 rifles, two G3 rifles, one double barrel rifle, one single barrel rifle, five magazines and seven live ammunition.”
