Police rescue three abducted children, arrest two suspected child traffickers in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued three abducted children and arrested two suspected child traffickers in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.

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The spokesperson for the command, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement said the incident occurred on June 3, 2026, at about 7:00pm, following a distress call from a concerned resident reporting the abduction of three children in Ekparakwa village.

According to the statement, operatives were immediately mobilised, with all entry and exit points in the area swiftly cordoned off in a coordinated effort to track down the suspects and rescue the victims.

During the operation, police intercepted a m ini bus with registration number 830 PH along a strategic route. 

A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the three missing children, who were rescued unharmed. Two suspects were arrested at the scene.

The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Johnny, 39, from Ikot Itokpo Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area but resident in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Ifiok Umoh, 28, from Ikot Ikpene Village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

The rescued children have since been reunited with their families, while the suspects remain in police custody as investigations continue.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their swift response and praised community members whose timely information aided the successful rescue.

He directed a discreet and comprehensive investigation to uncover and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking network, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to tackling child abduction and related crimes across the state.

The Command also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible intelligence to security agencies, assuring that all information will be treated with strict confidentiality.