The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has confirmed the apprehension of Gabriel Ekpiri, a father accused of selling his nine-year-old son for the sum of N400,000 in the Itu Local Government Area of the state.According to a statement issued by the state Public Relations Officer, Odiko MacDon, the arrest was made by the Quick Intervention Squad of the police command. During interrogation, Ekpiri reportedly confessed to the crime, attributing his actions to the prevailing economic hardships in the country.”The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, Olatoye Durusinmi, has strongly condemned the actions of Gabriel Ekpiri from Ekit Itam Akpan Obong in the Itu Local Government Area, who sold his nine-year-old son for N400,000,” the statement read.Describing the act as barbaric and entirely unacceptable, the Commissioner of Police emphasized the gravity of the offense. The suspect’s confession and his attempt to shift blame to external factors such as the devil and economic hardship were noted.Meanwhile, as a gesture of recognition for their exceptional service, Commissioner Durusinmi adorned two Deputy Commissioners of Police, namely DCP Baba Audu, the Area Commander of the Eket Area Command, and DCP Lawal Mani from the Department of Operations.During separate interviews with journalists, the newly promoted officers expressed their gratitude to the Police Service Commission and the Inspector General of Police for recognizing their merit. They pledged to redouble their efforts, maintaining a high level of commitment and dedication to their roles within the state command.