By Ike Uchechukwu

CALABAR— A 35-year-old Police Corporal, Kingsley Iyieke, from Rivers State, attached to Marine Police Station, Calabar, was among three suspects paraded yesterday by the Cross River Police Command for the murder of Inspector Edet Archibong.

Late Archibong was killed in October during a gun duel on Nkwa Street, off Eyamba in Calabar. Vanguard had earlier reported that Edet Archibong was shot dead when security operatives comprising X-Squad Unit and men of Operation Skolombo, were attacked and their vehicle set ablaze by suspected hoodlums on October 11.

Briefing newsmen in Calabar, Cross River State Commissioner of Police, Ozi Obeh, also announced the rescue of a minor (names withheld), who was kidnapped around Daramola Street in Ibadan, Ogun State, on his way to school on the November 7.

On the Inspector’s murder, Obeh said two suspects, who were earlier arrested by his men, gave useful information that led to the arrest of Corporal Kingsley Iyieke, who he said was a cultist and participated in the clash that led to the death of two police officers.

Obeh said: “Unfortunately, one of the suspects, who was arrested for participating in the cult clash that led to the death of an Inspector, was one of our own.

“He has been arrested and dismissed. He was a policeman when he perpetrated the crime, but he is no longer one of us.”

Speaking on the rescued minor, Ozi-Obeh said: “The 16 years old boy, who is an SS3 student of St. Barnabas Academy, Ibadan, told us that he was kidnapped on his way to school and his abductors drove him and 14 others in a truck to Calabar.

“But because of his constant disturbance they had to push him off the vehicle at Bible Way, State Housing, Calabar Municipality.

“The boy told us that the last thing he remembered was when he closed the door of the taxi he boarded to get to school on November 7.

“He said when he became conscious, he was already in Calabar, meaning they drove all through the night.”