Police gun down 24-year-old serial killer, gang members in Akwa Ibom

The Nigerian police force has been commended after neutralizing a gang of serial killers in Akwa Ibom.

The life story of 24-year-old notorious gang leader, Malachi Uwem and two of his members, Wisdom Akpan, and Annansia Umoh have been cut short by the operatives of the Special Weapons and Tactics Squad of the Police Command in the state.

TopNaija also reports that one of the gang members, Ndifreke Ebong, sustained severe gunfire wounds during the gun battle with the security operatives.

It was confirmed in a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Odiko Macson on Friday, April 29 that the criminals who have been on the wanted list, were traced to their secret base at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River State and were killed while trying to resist arrest.

The issued statement, titled ‘Game over for a notorious wanted murderer/ Armed robber, three gang members’ confirmed that the operation was led by Julian Igbudu.

Exhibits recovered from them include one cut-to-size pump action gun, one locally-made pistol, a large number of cartridges, and assorted charms.

The police statement reads in part, “In the last six months, the residents of Use Ntuen, Okobo Ibiono and Ikot Ambang in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, Itu and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas of Akwa Ibom State and part of Uyo have lived in palpable fear of a dreaded serial killer and armed robber, one Malachi Friday Uwem ‘m’, 24years old.

“The said Malachi and his gang have killed over 15 persons and has left some of his victims permanently maimed, some presently in hospitals, while others are counting their losses from his barbaric robbery acts, which has led to the closing of many businesses, especially POS, in these places.”

Giving details of the police attack, the statement continued, “Operatives of Special Weapons And Tactics Squad of the Command led by CSP Julian Igbudu, traced the hoodlums to their hideouts at Ikang in Akpabuyo Local Government Area Of Cross River State. The said Malachi Friday Uwem, his second in command, Wisdom Sunday Akpan ( 31 years), Ndifreke Sunday Ebong (20 years), and Annansia Umoh (33 years) resisted arrest and engaged the operatives in a gun duel, and in the ensuing milieu, three of the gang members were fatally injured while attempting to escape.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Andrew Amiengheme had commended the SWAT operatives and other tactical teams for a job well done.

He, however, warned, that the state can never be safe a haven for hoodlums as the command under his watch would continue to spare no resources in bringing perpetrators to book