By Abdullahi InuwaÂ
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dealt a heavy blow to cybercrime in the state with the arrest of three suspected members of a notorious scam syndicate accused of fleecing unsuspecting Nigerians, including top politicians and senior security officials.
The breakthrough followed a flurry of complaints lodged by victims across the country, prompting Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, to order a sweeping intelligence-led operation. Acting on this directive, operatives trailed the suspects for weeks before storming their hideout in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, where they were arrested on September 5, 2025, around 1:30 p.m.
Those in custody include:
Prince Francis Albert, 27, from Edemeya village, Ikot Abasi LGA, alleged to be the syndicate leader. A graduate of Sokoto State Polytechnic, Albert reportedly confessed to masterminding the scams since 2022. He admitted to deploying multiple phone numbers — 07018079625, 08057090611, 09125284189, 08169159852, and 08081732375 — to lure victims. Investigators say he sourced contacts from marriage invitations, obituary posters, business cards, and online platforms. Albert further revealed that he fled Oyo State in April 2025 to Akwa Ibom to escape police and DSS manhunts.
Augustine Ernest Bassey, 39, a POS operator from Okobo LGA, accused of funneling proceeds of crime through his OPay account (8081732375). He allegedly admitted receiving large sums from victims between April and August 2025.
Mbetobong Godwin, 35, from Ibesikpo LGA, and a neighbor to the gang leader, also confessed to using his OPay account (8160526905) to move scammed funds for the group.
Police say the suspects are cooperating in the ongoing probe, assisting investigators in tracing SIM cards and tracking other gang members still at large.
DSP Timfon John, LLB, Anipr, the Command’s spokesperson, assured the public that efforts are underway to recover stolen funds and dismantle the wider network. She urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies.
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