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A’Ibom Govt warns against illegal charges in public schools, flags off distribution of free exercise books

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The Akwa Ibom State Government has warned head teachers of public schools in Akwa Ibom state to desist from illegal charges on school children or risk severe penalties.

This comes on the heels of the announcement that a school head in the State will soon receive his demotion letter, on account of extorting illegal charges from parents of pupils in his school.

 

Permanent Secretary Ministry of Education, Mrs Stella Etukakpan (R) presents some of the customized exercise books to a head teacher at the event

At an event organised by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Education for the distribution of ARISE branded exercise books for pupils of all public primary schools in Uyo senatorial district, the State Commissioner for Education Mrs Idongesit Etiebet frowned at acts capable of frustrating the noble intentions of Governor Eno, saying the Governor is committed to ensuring a smooth and efficient education system in public schools in the State.

Addressing a gathering of teachers and school administrators, the Commissioner for Education and other educational stakeholders emphasized that there is no room for any fee in public schools as the state is sustaining free and compulsory education.

She stated “I want to use this opportunity to advise all head teachers to do their best, do not collect money of any kind from students or else you would be demoted with immediate effect through the appropriate disciplinary channels”.

“Next week you’re going to hear that we are sending a head teacher who demanded the sum of a thousand naira from all new intakes and also extorted five thousand naira from each pupil to give them their placement letters.

“This was a very unjust act and so he will face the consequences”.

A member of the State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB, John Udo, said his board has concluded investigations on the allegations and has begun the process of refunding the illegal charges to parents in that school.

 

Commissioner for Education, Mrs Idongesit Etiebet and Permanent Secretary, Mrs Stella Etukakpan in a group photograph with head teachers of public primary schools in Uyo Senatorial district

“Education is free and compulsory in Akwa Ibom State, you have not been asked to collect money from any student”, he said and lauded the Governor for the prompt payment of counterpart funding for all Universal Basic Education Commission, UBEC projects in the state

Recall that Governor Eno during the commissioning of model schools in Uyo recently, had announced one million copies of customized exercise books for pupils in all public primary schools in the state.

Further presenting the books to the head teachers in the respective schools in Uyo senatorial district, Mrs Etiebet highlighted the Governor’s achievement in education under one year to include payment of WASSCE and NAPTEB fees to the tune of 1.5bn naira yearly, payment of bursary to all students, infrastructural development of schools, institution of 100 million Naira Educational Trust Fund for students with disabilities, provision of free school bags, free shoes, amongst others.

In a bid to ensure the exercise books get to the targeted beneficiaries, the commissioner admonished all head teachers to ensure the distribution in all schools are done under the supervision of the Governor’s Personal Aides selected from the 368 wards.

Stressing on the Governor’s commitment to Teachers welfare as evidenced in the timely payment of salary and recently announced wardrobe allowance, Etiebet called on all teachers to reciprocate the Governor’s gesture with passion, commitment and dedication to duty and assured of tough times for all erring teachers.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of education Mrs Stella Etukakpan while setting the tone, highlighted the governor’s proactive approach since assumption of office, including unscheduled visits to schools and regular spot checks to schools.

She also commended the Education Commissioner for her consistency and passion towards proper interpretation and implementation of the Governor’s vision for education advancement in the state.

Also speaking, the Senior Special Assistant on Research and Documentation, Dr Essien Ndueso, highlighted the comprehensive monitoring mechanisms put in place to ensure the effective distribution of resources.

He explained that ward Personal Assistants have been equipped with iPads to document and report on the distribution process, ensuring accountability and transparency.

In the same vain, an Education Director in the State secondary schools board, Akparawa Udeme Udofia, described Governor Umo Eno as a “talk and do” leader, whose actions have consistently matched his promises. He expressed optimism that the distribution of exercise books would significantly enhance educational activities and mentioned plans to extend similar initiatives to secondary schools in the state.

Reacting to the Governor’s sterling performance, Mr. Anthony, on behalf of the head teachers, thanked Governor Eno for his unwavering dedication to education. He highlighted how the governor’s initiatives have fostered a passion for education within the school community

The high point of the event was the symbolic presentation of exercise books to head teachers in Uyo Senatorial district with a directive further distribute them to all pupils within three working days.

Crime

TWO SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS LINKED TO MURDER AND KIDNAPPING IN ETINAN IN POLICE NET

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a significant breakthrough in the investigation into an armed robbery operation during which one person was murdered and another kidnapped at Ikot Itienang Village, Ekom Iman, Etinan Local Government Area, on July 12, 2026.

Following a petition on the incident addressed to the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, a team of detectives from the Command promptly commenced an intelligence-led investigation aimed at identifying and apprehending those responsible for the heinous crime.

The painstaking investigation according to a Press Statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, led to the arrest of two suspected members of the armed robbery gang identified as one Gospel Effiong, a.k.a. “Python,” and Solomon Okon, a.k.a. “Plane,”

In the course of the investigation, two other suspects were also arrested in connection with the crime. They are Musa Kabiru, a native of Plateau State, alleged to be a receiver of some of the stolen items, and Victor Dickson.

During the operation, the following items were recovered from the residence of one of the arrested suspects, Solomon Okon a.k.a. “Plane”:

* A locally made pistol with one cartridge;
* A large quantity of suspected Indian hemp;
* A red cap bearing the inscription “Supreme Red Skin Confraternity”;
* item suspected to be charm; and
* Other incriminating items relevant to the ongoing investigation.

The Command views the development as a major step forward in its efforts to dismantle criminal networks responsible for violent crimes and to bring perpetrators of murder, kidnapping and armed robbery to justice.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, Mnipr, commends the detectives for their diligence, professionalism and intelligence-led approach to the investigation.

The Commissioner reiterates the Command’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that persons involved in violent crimes are identified, apprehended and made to face the full weight of the law.

Members of the public are encouraged to continue providing the Police with credible and timely information that could assist in tracking down fleeing suspects and preventing criminal activities across the State.

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Crime

Police arrests five drug dealers, recovers illicit drugs in Mbak Itam, Ikot Mbang

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced the arrest of five suspects over illicit drug related offences.

The command under the leadership of CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, recorded this significant operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the State of criminal hideouts, illicit drug activities and other forms of criminality.

In a statement made available to newsmen by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the operation was conducted in furtherance of the Commissioner of Police’s operation Zero Black Spot and sustained directive to deny criminals safe havens across the State.

Following credible intelligence received by operatives of the Command.
On 11 August 2026, at about 1600hrs, operatives of the Command conducted a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout at Mbak Itam, Ikot Mbang.

During the operation, five suspects believed to be involved in the illicit distribution and sale of controlled substances were arrested. They are:

1. Abraham Emmanuel (male)
2. Happiness Archibong (female)
3. Esther Okon (female)
4. Esther Udo (female)
5. Chinedu Benjamin (male)

Several other suspects fled the scene upon sighting the Police vehicle.

Items recovered from the suspects include large quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, Tramadol, Loud, Ice, as well as the sum of ₦42,000.00, suspected to be proceeds connected to the illicit drug trade.

The Commissioner of Police has commended the operatives for their courage, vigilance and commitment to duty, while reiterating that the Command will continue to sustain intelligence-led operations against criminal elements, particularly those who exploit isolated locations as bases for drug trafficking, cultism and other violent crimes.

The Command wishes to make it unequivocally clear that there will be no safe haven for criminals in Akwa Ibom State. The ongoing Zero Black Spot initiative is aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling locations being used to facilitate criminal activities, while strengthening security and public confidence across communities.

The Command therefore calls on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information that can assist the Police in preventing and detecting crime.

 

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Crime

POLICE RECOVERS STOLEN HILUX, ARRESTS SUSPECTED CULTIST WITH THREE LIVE CARTRIDGES

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another operational breakthrough in its sustained fight against cultism, vehicle theft and other criminal activities across the State.

According to a Press statement signed by DSP Timfon John and made available to newsmen in Uyo on Monday 10th August 2026, two men were sighted by Operatives of the command while on routine patrol on 7th August, 2026 at about 1500hrs in possession of a Toyota Hilux with black bonnet and registration number NYA 399 AA, earlier reported stolen the previous day 6 August 2026 at Udo Eduok Street, off Aka Road, Uyo.

On sighting the Police, the suspects fled and were pursued to a non-motorable road, where they abandoned the vehicle and escaped into the bush.

The owner, one Mr. Reginald, was contacted who subsequently identified the recovered vehicle as his property. The vehicle has been recovered and is currently undergoing investigation while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

In a separate operation at about 2330hrs the same day, operatives of the Command while conducting stop-and-search along Abak Road by the Federal Secretariat, Uyo, arrested one Emmanuel Emmanson, 21, of Mkpat Enin LGA, and recovered three live cartridges from him.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the Black Axe Confraternity and stated that the cartridges were intended for a cult initiation exercise in a bush.

The suspect remains in custody as investigation continues, while efforts are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected unlawful group.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, commends the operatives for their vigilance and professionalism, and assures members of the public that the Command will sustain intelligence-led operations and other proactive policing strategies to protect lives and property.

The Command urges members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, vehicles and activities to the Police.

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