- Says kidnapped Ibadan student rescued in Calabar
Bassey Inyang in Calabar
The Cross River State police command has disclosed that it has arrested a policeman, Corporal Kingsley Iyeke, over the alleged killing of his colleague, Inspector Edet Archibong, during a gun duel between the police and suspected cultists in Calabar.
The state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Jimoh Ozi-Obeh, made the announcement in Calabar yesterday when he briefed journalists on the feat recorded so far by the police.
The commissioner said Iyeke was arrested following a tip-off after some secret cult members mentioned him as one of their member.
He said the cult members who mentioned the policeman were arrested in their hideout after they had been traced by the police.
The commissioner said during interrogation, one of the suspected cultists mentioned Iyeke as their member “and that he was the one that shot the police inspector during the clash”.
Continuing, the commissioner said: “Majority of the suspects have been arrested. Our front line interrogation shows that one of our personnel, Corporal Kingsley Iyeke, was one of the cultists.
“After interrogating one of the arrested cultists, he confessed that Iyeke was their member and that he was the one that shot the inspector.
“During our trial, we found out that truly he was their member. We have dismissed him and he will face the full wrath of the law.”
Responding to questions from journalists, Iyeke, 35, from Rivers, attached to the Marine Police base in Calabar, denied being a member of any cult group.
He said he was only a victim of set-up by the cult members who wanted him out of their way at all cost.
The commissioner also disclosed that it rescued a 16-year-old SS3 students of St Banabas Nusery , Primary and Secondary school,Doramola, Ibadan, Oyo State.
He said the student, Kinsley Akom, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen on the November 7 and taken to Calabar by his abductors where he was rescued.
Ozi-Obeh said the boy was kidnapped on his way to school in Ibadan and abandoned by his captors along Bible College Way, State Housing Estate, Calabar.
Ozi-Obeh said the victim boarded a taxi to school and all of a sudden, he became unconscious only to find himself in a container van where he met other children numbering more than fifteen with their legs and hands tied.
The Commissioner said Agom is in stable condition and that his parents have been contacted over his rescue.
He said discreet investigations are ongoing by the Anti- Kidnapping section of the criminal investigations and intelligence department, state headquarters, Calabar to unravel the mystery.
