The Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village in Mbo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State is on the run following the arrest of a militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping in the creek.

The Command on 3rd November, 2025, in collaboration with Marine Hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey ‘m’, aged 27 years, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane ‘m’, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.

Though the Village Head fled upon sighting the teams, a search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.

Our operational strategies, which include robust intelligence gathering, proactive patrols, and effective collaboration with sister security agencies and community stakeholders, have continued to yield impressive results.

Items recovered include
1. One 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines
2. Four power heads, four gear boxes, four propellers, and four engine covers
3. One Snow Sea deep freezer
4. Three generators
5. Three brand new toilet seats
6. Two brand new toilet sinks
7. One sewing machine
8. Fourteen empty drums
9. One 3kg gas cylinder
10. Boat parts and household items
11. A bag containing the personal effects of one Chibuike Vincent Awah of Onitsha, Anambra State, including his ID card and NIN slip

The suspect is in custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing Village Head.

Below is the full text of a press statement released to journalists on Tuesday 4th November 2025 at the Police headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia during a press conference.

PRESS BRIEFING BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, AKWA IBOM STATE COMMAND, CP BABA MOHAMMED AZARE, fsi, ON THE RECENT ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE COMMAND HELD ON TUESDAY, 4TH NOVEMBER, 2025

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen of the press,

I warmly welcome you all to this press briefing organized to update the public on the significant achievements recorded by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in recent weeks.

These successes spanning from the creeks of Mbo to the heart of Uyo underscore our unwavering commitment to rid the State of criminal elements and ensure the safety and security of all law-abiding citizens.

Our operational strategies, which include robust intelligence gathering, proactive patrols, and effective collaboration with sister security agencies and community stakeholders, have continued to yield impressive results.

Below is a summary of some of our major breakthroughs:

1. DISMANTLING OF A MILITANT SYNDICATE AND RECOVERY OF ARSENAL IN IBAKA

On 3rd November, 2025, at about 1145hrs, operatives of the Command, in collaboration with Marine Hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey ‘m’, aged 27 years, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.

The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane ‘m’, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.

Operatives immediately stormed the village. Though the Village Head fled upon sighting the teams, a search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.

Items recovered include:
1. One 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines
2. Four power heads, four gear boxes, four propellers, and four engine covers
3. One Snow Sea deep freezer
4. Three generators
5. Three brand new toilet seats
6. Two brand new toilet sinks
7. One sewing machine
8. Fourteen empty drums
9. One 3kg gas cylinder
10. Boat parts and household items
11. A bag containing the personal effects of one Chibuike Vincent Awah of Onitsha, Anambra State, including his ID card and NIN slip

The suspect is in custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing Village Head.

2. NEUTRALIZATION OF ILLEGAL ARMS PRODUCTION AND DISMANTLING OF A GUN FACTORY

Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives on 24th October, 2025, raided an illegal gun manufacturing facility at Ekiti Itam Village, Itu LGA, arresting Aniekan Aniedi ‘m’ (39 years) and Ubong Udofia ‘m’ (35 years).

Exhibits recovered include:
1. Three fabricated locally made guns
2. Five pieces of metal pipe
3. Two iron rods
4. Copper wire
5. Two flat metal plates (gun butts)
6. One welding machine
7. One mini electric screwdriver
8. One electric filing machine

Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend their criminal network of armed robbers and cultists.

3. ARRESTS FOR HANDLING STOLEN PROPERTY AND OTHER RELATED CRIMES

Operatives of the Command, working with community leaders, arrested Umar Bello ‘m’, from Sokoto State, found in possession of 31 suspected stolen phones (8 iPhones, 10 Redmi, 7 Infinix, and others). The suspect was about to waybill the items to Kano. Efforts are ongoing to arrest his accomplice identified as “Mohammed.”

You may recall that during my last briefing on 17th October, 2025, we reported the arrest of Editi Eberedem ‘m’ (34yrs) with a stolen tricycle. Further investigation led to the arrest of Musa Sanni (31yrs), Utibe Nkop (34yrs), Dadati John (46yrs), and Abdulrashid Sanni (28yrs).

Exhibits recovered: three tricycles and seventy-two (72) mobile phones.

In a related development, operatives arrested Maxwell Asuquo ‘m’ and Etin Akpan ‘m’, who were caught with motor vehicle spare parts concealed in a sack. They confessed to stealing the items behind the NNPC Fuel Station, Mbiabong Etoi, Uyo.

4. UNLAWFUL PROCESSION OF MASQUERADES AND ARREST OF CULT LEADERS

Following the ban on unlawful masquerade processions, one Solomon Edem ‘m’, of Midim Waterside, Abak LGA, who specialized in disguising as a masquerade to rob his victims, was arrested.

Items recovered: a machete, two masquerade masks, charms, and an animal skull. The suspect has been charged to court.

In another case, Uwem Umanah ‘m’ (45yrs), leader of the “Ekpo” masquerade cult, and David Michael ‘m’ (34yrs), both of Ekpenyong Ikot Isang Village, were arrested and charged for illegal assembly, armed blockage of a public highway, and extortion.

5. DISMANTLING OF ROBBERY SYNDICATES AND RECOVERY OF EXHIBITS

On 3rd November, 2025, operatives carried out a major sting operation that smashed an armed robbery syndicate specializing in motorcycle snatching across Akwa Ibom and Rivers States.

Arrested suspects:
1. Sunday Samson ‘m’
2. Imoh Peter ‘m’
3. Saviour Jimmy ‘m’
4. Ubong Umana ‘m’

Exhibit recovered: nine (9) motorcycles.

Similarly, one Eyibio Subsidy ‘m’ was arrested for robbing a man (name withheld) of a Yamaha 5HP boat engine and an insecticide sprayer at Edeminyang Okoho. A Dane gun was recovered.

6. RECOVERY OF AMMUNITION AND CARTRIDGES

On 26th October, 2025, at about 1930hrs, through credible intelligence from a patriotic citizen, 52 rounds of 9mm live ammunition and 3 live cartridges were recovered from a residence in Abak during a cleaning exercise. All exhibits have been properly documented, while efforts continue to recover more arms.

7. ARREST OF BURGLARS, CULTISTS, AND RECOVERY OF STOLEN PROPERTIES

Following multiple complaints from Uyo residents and business owners over frequent burglary and vandalism, operatives of the Command arrested the following suspects:
1. Isreal Udo (alias Okpo) ‘m’ (22yrs) of Nung Obio Enang Village, Idoro, Uyo
2. Nsikak Okon ‘m’ (23yrs)
3. Okechukwu Livinus ‘m’ (23yrs) of Abak Road, Uyo

Exhibits recovered: two Kunata dry cell batteries (20ah), a hand saw, and two pliers used for breaking into shops.

The suspects confessed to being members of a cult group involved in serial burglaries across Uyo metropolis. Investigation is ongoing, and they will be charged to court upon completion.

8. CRACKDOWN ON CULTISM AND ARMED ROBBERY

On 9th October, 2025, operatives arrested a three-man armed robbery syndicate:
1. Samuel Okon ‘m’
2. Joseph Okon ‘m’
3. David Robert ‘m’ (all ex-convicts)

Recovered: three locally made pistols and eleven (11) live cartridges.

Similarly, Wisdom Ime Alfred ‘m’ (33yrs) was arrested with a locally fabricated short gun and two live cartridges. He confessed to being a member of the Red Skin confraternity.

In another operation, the Command arrested two motorcycle snatchers — Daniel Kingsley Etim (alias Body Body) and Usen Etim Sunday ‘m’, both confirmed members of the Red Skin cult. Two unregistered motorcycles (Opel and Qlink) were recovered.

CONCLUSION

I wish to commend the officers and men of the Command for their diligence, professionalism, and courage during these operations.

I also extend my gratitude to the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their support, cooperation, and timely sharing of information that continues to aid our operations. We also call on individuals who have had their phones stolen, snatched, or lost under suspicious circumstances to visit the Command with proof of ownership for identification and possible recovery of their property.

Let me reaffirm that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command will not relent in its mission to combat crime and criminality in all its forms. These arrests and recoveries send a clear message that there is no safe haven for criminals in the State.

We urge members of the public to continue supporting the Police by reporting suspicious activities to the nearest Police Station or through our emergency contact numbers.

Together, we will make Akwa Ibom State safer and more secure.

Thank you for your attention