13-Year-Old Pupil Arrested for Threatening Schoolmates with Pistol at St Paul’s Primary School

The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested a 13-year-old pupil of Saint Paul’s Primary School, Ikot Ibiok, in Eket Local Government Area for allegedly threatening his schoolmates with a pistol.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, disclosed this during a press briefing in Uyo, stating that operatives of the police command received a tip-off at about 8 a.m. on 30 January that the pupil was carrying a pistol in school and threatening to shoot his schoolmates.

According to Mr. Azare, officers immediately acted on the information, arrested the suspect, and recovered a locally made pistol. Upon interrogation, the pupil confessed that he had been in possession of the firearm since November 2024, stating that he retrieved it from a wardrobe in his father’s bedroom. The police have also arrested the father as investigations continue.

In a separate operation, the police arrested two girls for allegedly conspiring to steal a child in Obong Itam, Itu Local Government Area, in June last year. The suspects reportedly sold the child for ₦200,000 to an individual in Cross River State. According to Mr. Azare, the suspects admitted to the crime and used the proceeds to purchase a refrigerator, television, and fan. The police have recovered these items and are working to apprehend the buyer of the child.

In another development, the police arrested two women, identified as Gift Essien Tommy and Peace Ekanem, for allegedly attempting to engage in human trafficking. The arrests followed a tip-off from two girls who reported that the suspects were planning to traffic them to some men in Cross River State. The police commissioner stated that the suspects intended to force the victims into pregnancy, sell the babies, and share the proceeds.

The police also arrested a 60-year-old man, Aniefiok Edem, for allegedly raping a nine-year-old girl in Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom Community. The victim’s mother had petitioned the police, alleging that on 31 January, she sent her daughter on an errand when the suspect dragged her into a nearby bush, raped her, and later gave her ₦200. Mr. Azare confirmed that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The police commissioner further reported that officers had arrested several suspects involved in various crimes, including cult activities, unlawful possession of firearms, and illicit drug dealing.