February 06, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough with the arrest of a suspect linked to a ₦4.2 million armed robbery involving alleged juju intimidation and ATM fraud in Uyo.
The suspect, Benjamin Patrick, was arrested on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, after police investigations traced stolen funds to his bank account and several Point of Sale (POS) terminals.
The crime occurred on November 19, 2025, when the victim was waiting to board a commercial vehicle along Uruan Street, Uyo. A saloon car stopped and offered her a ride, which she accepted, unaware that the occupants were members of a robbery syndicate.
Shortly after she entered the vehicle, the suspects diverted from the route, produced a firearm, and forcefully seized her ATM card. At gunpoint, they compelled her to disclose her PIN.
The suspects also allegedly invoked juju, placing the victim in a state of fear and submission to ensure her compliance.
The victim was subsequently escorted to her residence, where the suspects ransacked the premises and stole ₦900,000 in cash.
Further investigations revealed that an additional ₦3.3 million was withdrawn from her bank account using the stolen ATM card and transferred into multiple accounts, bringing the total loss to ₦4.2 million.
Police traced the withdrawals to accounts and three POS machines linked to Patrick, where the transactions were reportedly carried out within a five-minute interval.
The victim later identified the suspect as one of the occupants of the vehicle used during the robbery.
The suspect is currently in police custody, while investigations continue to identify other members of the syndicate and recover the stolen funds.
The Police Command reiterated its resolve to rid the state of criminal elements, warning that Akwa Ibom is not a safe haven for crime.
Members of the public are urged to remain vigilant, avoid boarding suspicious vehicles, and report any unusual activities promptly to the police.
