Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected kidnapper and cultist, Ubong Michael, popularly known as “Ubong Boy,” in Ikot Aka Village, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed in a statement issued in Uyo on Thursday that the suspect was apprehended on April 22, 2026, following credible intelligence. Items recovered from him include a human skull, a human bone, two live cartridges, and a dagger.
According to the police, the suspect has confessed to his involvement in criminal activities and is currently assisting investigators in tracking other members of the syndicate and recovering additional weapons.
Preliminary findings revealed that Ubong Michael was allegedly involved in several kidnapping operations, including the abduction of two victims identified as Gabriel in 2023 and John in 2025. The police noted that he had been in hiding in Port Harcourt before intelligence reports indicated his return to the community, leading to his arrest.
The statement added that the arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the command’s ongoing crackdown on violent crimes and criminal networks in the state.
Reacting to the development, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their swift and intelligence-led operation. He reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling criminal activities and warned offenders to desist or face the full force of the law.
Azare also urged residents to remain vigilant and support law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information, assuring that efforts to safeguard lives and property across the state would be sustained.
