The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has stated that it has neutralised a notorious kidnapping kingpin and leader of the Bling Bling Marine Strike Force, identified as Ubong Effiong Archibong, popularly known as Condiment, News About Nigeria reports.
The Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO ASP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement in the State Capital, Uyo, on Thursday.
He stated that the kidnapping kingpin was neutralised by operatives of the command when he engaged the operatives in a gun duel at his hideout in Uyanga Community, Cross River State, adding that a G3 rifle with ammunition was recovered from him.
In the statement titled “Notorious Kidnap Kingpin/Sea Pirate Meets Waterloo”, John noted that the suspect was responsible for the kidnapping of High Court Judge, Joy Unwana, and the killing of her police orderly, Inspector ThankGod Edet, last year.
He added that there are other kidnapping cases linked to the slain suspect, including the gruesome murder of the CEO of Emem and Sons Nig. Ltd. and the kidnapping of his sales representative and pharmacist, Joemel.
The statement reads in part, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, on Wednesday, 28th August 2024, neutralised a dreaded kidnap kingpin/sea pirate whose stock-in-trade was to kidnap, kill, maim, and cause havoc in society.
“The kingpin, Ubong Effiong Archibong (M), alias ‘Condiment,’ a gang leader of the Bling Bling Marine Strike Force terrorising the Uruan/Oron waterways, was responsible for the kidnapping of High Court Judge, Joy Unwana, and the killing of her police orderly, Inspector ThankGod Edet, as well as the gruesome murder of the CEO of Emem and Sons Nig. Ltd. and the kidnapping of his sales representative.
“The suspect was also responsible for the kidnapping of pharmacist Joemel, as well as the kidnapping of Mr. Brown, CEO of Mingles Hotel.
“The suspect was neutralised during a gun battle with operatives of the command at his hideout in Uyanga Community, Cross River State.
“One G3 rifle with four live rounds of ammunition was recovered from the suspect. The corpse of the suspect was recovered and deposited at the morgue. Investigations with the full intent to arrest other members of the gang are ongoing.”
