The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has apprehended Gabriel Okon Ekpiri, a resident of Ekit Itam Akpan Obong community in Itu Local Government Area of the state.
He was arrested for allegedly selling his nine-year-old son for the sum of N400,000.
According to the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macdon, who issued a statement in Uyo, the state capital, the suspect was apprehended by the Quick Intervention Squad of the Command.
Macdon further stated that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to the crime and attributed it to the influence of the devil and the prevailing economic hardship in the country.
The statement read in part, “The Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State, Olatoye Durusinmi, has condemned the action of one Gabriel Okon Ekpiri of Ekit Itam Akpan Obong in Itu Local Government Area, who sold his nine year old son for N400,000.
“The CP noted that the act was barbaric and totally unacceptable, and the suspect who was arrested by the quick Intervention Squad of the Command has confessed to the crime while blaming the devil and economic hardship for his actions.”
In the meantime, the Commissioner of Police has officially recognized the achievements of two Deputy Commissioners of Police, DCP Baba Lawan Audu, who serves as the Area Commander of Eket Area Command, and DCP Lawal Isa Mani from the Department of Operations.
The Commissioner of Police conveyed his congratulations to the officers on behalf of the Acting Inspector General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, and urged them to enhance their productivity in their respective roles as deputy commissioners.
Expressing their joy, the promoted officers individually expressed gratitude to the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police for recognizing their merits and promoting them. They also vowed to maintain their commitment and hard work in serving the Command.
