The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks terrorising communities across Ikono, Ini, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas, with the arrest of six suspected members of a notorious criminal gang and the recovery of firearms, live and expended cartridges, as well as motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.

The breakthrough followed credible intelligence received by the Command on 5 September 2026, indicating that a notorious gang allegedly operating from Ikono Local Government Area was sighted moving towards INI Local Government Area, reportedly on their way to execute a criminal operation.

Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives mobilised and commenced a coordinated pursuit of the suspects. The operation extended through INI Local Government Area towards the Akwa Ibom–Abia State boundary.

Following a determined pursuit, operatives successfully intercepted and apprehended three members of the gang, including the alleged ring leader, at a border community between Akwa Ibom and Abia States. One other suspect reportedly escaped during the operation.

The arrested suspects were subsequently taken to the station for detailed investigation and intelligence-led interrogation. Information obtained during the investigation further led to the identification and arrest of additional members of the criminal network, bringing the number of suspects arrested so far to six.

Those arrested are:

1. Gideon Udoh, male, 23 years, aka Holy Water Blood, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA;
2. Martins Udo, male, 36 years, of Mbiabong Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA;
3. Bassey Ukpong, male, 22 years, aka Ekpor, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA;
4. Aniebiet Dominic, male, 25 years, aka Two Second, of Itak Ikot Akpan Ndem Village, Ikono LGA;
5. David Idaha, male, 32 years, aka Black, of Nung Ukim Village, Ikono LGA; and
6. Joseph Udo, male, 25 years, identified as the gang’s alleged technical operative.

Preliminary investigation and intelligence obtained from the suspects have linked the gang to a range of serious criminal activities allegedly perpetrated across parts of Akwa Ibom State and neighbouring areas. These include armed robbery, kidnapping, hostage-taking, abduction, car snatching, rape, cult-related activities, illicit drug dealing, extortion, demanding by menace, malicious damage and attempted murder, among other offences.

Items recovered so far in connection with the investigation include:

* Two locally fabricated shotguns;
* Two live cartridges;
* Three expended cartridges; and
* Six serviceable motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commends the officers involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism.

The Command reiterates that there will be no safe haven for armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, extortionists and other criminal elements in Akwa Ibom State. The Police will continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, tactical operations and inter-agency collaboration to identify, apprehend and bring criminal elements to justice.

The Command equally calls on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious persons, movements and criminal activities within their communities. Such information will be treated with the necessary confidentiality.

… recovers Pump-Action gun, Ammunition, two speed boats

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced a full investigation into the killing of an unidentified male who was allegedly attacked, set ablaze and burnt to death by a mob at Ikpe Ikot Akpan Village, along the Ikot Ekpene–Uyo Road.

The incident occurred on Wednesday, 9th September, 2026, at about 7:05 a.m., following an allegation that the deceased had attempted to steal a motorcycle belonging to one Idoroenyin Udo.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the motorcycle owner allegedly resisted the attempted theft and raised an alarm, prompting some persons in the area to pursue and apprehend the suspect.

Instead of handing him over to the Police for proper investigation, some members of the mob allegedly took the law into their own hands, assaulted the suspect and subsequently set him ablaze, resulting in his death.

Upon receiving the distress report, Police operatives were immediately deployed to the scene and investigation commenced.

The Command has intensified efforts to identify, track down and arrest all persons involved in the mob action. Anyone found culpable will be brought to justice in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, strongly condemns the incident and warns members of the public against jungle justice in any form.

CP Azare reiterates that no individual or group has the right to determine the guilt of a suspect or impose punishment outside the law. A person accused of committing an offence must be handed over to the appropriate authorities for investigation and prosecution.

The Command therefore urges members of the public to remain law-abiding and to promptly report suspected criminal activities to the Police rather than resorting to mob action.

Jungle justice is unlawful, dangerous and unacceptable. It destroys evidence, frustrates proper investigation and can lead to the killing of innocent persons.

Investigation is ongoing, while efforts are being intensified to apprehend all those connected with the incident.

In a related development, the Command has recorded a significant operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to prevent criminal activities and protect lives and property, particularly within the State’s riverine and coastal communities.

In a Press statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, Attached about 0605 hours on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, operatives of the Marine Police, Oron, acting on credible intelligence regarding a planned kidnapping operation within Oron, Akwa Ibom State, embarked on a joint intelligence-led operation with Marine Hunters to a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar–Oron Channel.

The operation was targeted at disrupting the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate allegedly planning to carry out a kidnapping operation within the Oron axis.

Upon reaching the suspected camp, the operatives recovered the following items:

* One (1) Jojeef English pump-action gun;
* Two (2) cartridges;
* One (1) white rope suspected to be intended for criminal use;
* Two (2) speedboats;
* Three (3) 200HP outboard engines; and
* One (1) 15HP outboard engine.

The recovered items have been secured for safe custody, proper documentation and further necessary investigative action.

The operation is part of the Command’s sustained intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks before they are able to execute their plans.

The Command remains particularly focused on denying criminal elements the opportunity to exploit the State’s waterways as operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes. Accordingly, Marine Police operatives have continued to maintain heightened vigilance across strategic waterways and coastal communities.

The Command reassures residents, particularly those in riverine communities, boat operators, fishermen and other waterways users, that the waterways and surrounding areas remain calm and peaceful, with no incident reported following the operation.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective utilisation of actionable intelligence. He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to deploying intelligence, operational resources and strategic partnerships to proactively prevent crime and safeguard the people of Akwa Ibom State.

The Commissioner also expressed his profound appreciation to the Marine Hunters for their invaluable support, courage and operational commitment during the joint operation. He urged the Marine Hunters to sustain their support and cooperation with the Police and other security agencies in the collective effort to protect the waterways and coastal communities.

The Commissioner further warned criminal elements, including those operating across State boundaries, that Akwa Ibom State will not serve as a safe haven, staging ground or escape corridor for kidnappers, armed criminals or other perpetrators of violent crime.

He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report credible information concerning suspicious movements, persons, vessels or activities to the Police and other relevant security agencies.

The Command appreciates the people of Akwa Ibom State for their continued cooperation and support and assures the public that the Police remain resolute, proactive and strategically positioned to detect, disrupt and decisively respond to threats against public safety.

The safety and security of Akwa Ibom State remain our collective responsibility.

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.