…AS POLICE RECOVERS TWO GUNS, STOLEN MOTORCYCLE, LAPTOPS AND CHARMS

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery and other violent crimes with the arrest of six suspected members and associates of an armed robbery gang operating within Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the State.

The arrests were made in the early hours of today during a coordinated clearance operation conducted by Police operatives in identified criminal hideouts within the three Local Government Areas.

The operation, which was led by the officer in charge of the tactical team, followed sustained intelligence gathering and operational efforts aimed at dismantling the remaining members and associates of the criminal network responsible for a series of criminal activities, particularly the theft and disposal of motorcycles and other valuable items.

During the operation, six suspects were apprehended, including a suspected native doctor alleged to have been providing charms and other fetish preparations for members of the gang, as well as another suspect alleged to specialise in producing fake receipts used to facilitate the disposal and sale of suspected stolen motorcycles and other items.

The suspects arrested are:
1. Peter Sabbath, male, 34 years, native of Ikot Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene LGA.
2. Joseph Udo, male, 25 years, native of Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono LGA.
3. Victor Igwe, male, 23 years, native of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village, alleged to specialise in the production of fake receipts used to facilitate the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles.
4. Boniface Essiet, male, 37 years, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono LGA, alleged to be the native doctor providing charms and other fetish materials to members of the gang.
5. Simeon Udo, male, 47 years, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono LGA.
6. Uko Akang, male, of Asanting Village, who was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle, registration number AUQ 73 VC.
Items recovered during the operation include:

* Two single-barrel shotguns;
* Three laptops;
* One suspected stolen motorcycle;
* Local charms and other fetish items recovered from the shrine of the suspected native doctor; and
* Other materials relevant to the ongoing investigation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commends the operatives for their courage, professionalism and sustained commitment to intelligence-led policing. He has directed that the investigation be intensified with a view to establishing the suspects’ individual roles, recovering additional stolen property and apprehending other members or collaborators of the criminal network who may still be at large.

The Commissioner further reiterates that the Command will continue to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to identify criminal elements, disrupt their operational networks and bring perpetrators to justice.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to deny criminals safe havens and dismantle criminal networks operating within the State.

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.