The police command in Akwa Ibom State says it has apprehended seven suspects for alleged fraudulent activities, vandalism of public infrastructure and cultism-related issues in the State.

This is contained in a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfom John, in Uyo on Saturday.

Ms John said four of the suspects arrested were involved in vandalism of facilities at one of the Federal Government Colleges in the state on Thursday at about 1150hrs.

She said the chief security officer of the college reported that some renovation materials belonging to the school had been stolen from the premises.

She said that the suspects had removed the burglary proofs meant for the ongoing renovation of hostel blocks within the institution.

The PPRO said that upon receipt of the report, operatives of the command commenced a discreet investigation, which led to the arrest of the four suspects and recovery of exhibits.

Ms John added that one of the suspects was alleged to have specialised in impersonating Emem Bob, Commissioner for Finance in Akwa Ibom State.

She alleged that the suspect had been fraudulently using the name, official identity, and photographs of the commissioner on fake social media platforms to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly created fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts, bearing the identity of the Commissioner for Finance and used the same to deceive unsuspecting job seekers, particularly young women desperate for employment opportunities,” Ms John said.

Ms John said the suspect had confessed to fraudulently posing as the personal assistant to the commissioner, luring over 10 ladies to hotels under false promises of securing government jobs and obtaining money through deceitful means.

She further said that on Friday at about 2100hrs, operatives of the command intercepted and arrested two suspects, who confessed to being members of the proscribed cult group known as Ku Klux Klans (KKK) confraternity in Ikot Ekpene.

Ms John said the suspects had confessed to the crime and volunteered useful information currently aiding ongoing operations targeted at arresting fleeing gang members and recovering additional arms.

She said the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, warned criminals, cultists, economic saboteurs, vandals, fraudsters, and other lawless elements to repent or be prepared to face the full weight of the law. 

(NAN)