A 34 year old, James John, a.k.a. “Kpoi,” male, of Itak Ifaha Village, who was identified as one of the principal suspects allegedly involved in illegal mining activities within the area has been arrested by operatives of
Akwa Ibom Police Command.

A Press statement released by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, indicates that the arrest follows an intensified crackdown on illegal mining activities across the State in furtherance of the Command’s resolve to protect the State’s mineral resources, prevent environmental degradation and dismantle criminal networks exploiting mineral resources without lawful authority.

“In continuation of the enforcement drive announced by the Command on 27 September 2026 under the caption “Police Declare War on Illegal Mining in Akwa Ibom State,” operatives of the Command, on 28 September 2026 at about 1100 hours, stormed suspected illegal mining sites located at Okorutip, Atia and Ndito Ekaiba coastal villages in Ibeno Local Government Area.”

Other persons found at the mining locations reportedly fled the scene upon sighting the Police operatives and are currently being traced as investigations continue.

Items sighted and recovered at the suspected illegal mining locations include bags containing a mineral substance identified as titanium ore, commonly referred to as “black sand.” The recovered materials have been secured and will be subjected to appropriate examination and verification as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Command is particularly concerned about the activities of individuals and groups engaging in the unlawful extraction, processing, storage and movement of mineral resources, especially in coastal communities, where such activities have the potential to cause significant environmental damage and undermine lawful regulatory processes.

The arrest and recovery form part of the Command’s broader operational strategy to identify the individuals financing, coordinating and facilitating illegal mining activities, rather than merely targeting persons found at mining sites.

The Commissioner further reiterates that there will be no safe haven for illegal mining syndicates in Akwa Ibom State. Individuals, groups, sponsors, financiers, collaborators and other persons involved in the unlawful exploitation of the State’s mineral resources are advised to immediately desist from such activities or face the full weight of the law.

The Command will continue to work with relevant regulatory authorities, sister security agencies, traditional institutions and responsible members of the public to identify and disrupt illegal mining operations across the State.

Members of the public, particularly residents of mining-prone communities, are encouraged to provide timely and credible information on suspected illegal mining activities to the Police and other appropriate authorities. Such information will be treated with the necessary confidentiality.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in protecting lives and property, safeguarding the State’s natural resources and ensuring that those who violate the law are brought to justice.

Investigation is still ongoing.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has warned individuals, companies and organized syndicates involved in unlawful extraction, processing or transportation of mineral resources to desist immediately or face decisive law enforcement action.

The renewed offensive follows intelligence reports indicating the existence of suspected unauthorized mining and excavation activities in some parts of the State, with attendant concerns over environmental degradation, economic sabotage, public safety and other security implications.

Consequently, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has directed Area Commanders, Divisional Police Officers, tactical teams and intelligence formations across the State to increase surveillance, intelligence gathering and enforcement around suspected illegal mining locations.

According to a Press statement from the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the directive includes the identification of unauthorized mining sites, profiling of persons and organizations connected with such activities, monitoring of the movement of mining equipment and mineral resources, and the investigation of individuals reasonably suspected of operating outside the provisions of the law.

The Commissioner of Police warned that the Command will not allow Akwa Ibom State to become a haven for illegal mining activities or for criminal networks seeking to exploit the State’s natural resources for personal gain.

According to the CP, illegal mining does not only deprive government and communities of legitimate economic benefits, but can also lead to the destruction of farmlands, environmental pollution, erosion, contamination of water sources, unsafe excavation sites and other hazards capable of endangering residents.

Of particular concern to the Command is the possibility that unregulated mining sites could provide cover for other criminal activities, including the movement of suspicious persons, trafficking, unlawful possession of dangerous weapons and the concealment of criminal proceeds.

The Police Command is therefore adopting a coordinated approach, working with relevant Federal and State Government agencies responsible for mining regulation, environmental protection and related matters to ensure that enforcement actions are properly targeted.

CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has directed officers involved in the operation to act professionally, responsibly and strictly within the confines of the law, while ensuring that genuine and duly licensed mining operators are not unnecessarily disrupted.

The Commissioner of Police wishes to make it clear that the Command’s action is not targeted at legitimate businesses. Individuals and companies with valid licences and approvals who operate in accordance with applicable laws and regulations have nothing to fear.

However, persons found engaging in mining activities without the appropriate authorization, or those who aid, sponsor, finance, conceal or provide logistical support for unlawful mining operations, will be thoroughly investigated and, where sufficient evidence exists, prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Traditional rulers, village heads, community leaders, youth leaders, landowners and residents are also strongly advised to exercise due diligence before allowing individuals or organizations access to community lands for mining or excavation purposes.

Communities are urged to verify the identities, licences and approvals of persons seeking to undertake mining activities within their areas and to promptly report suspicious operations to the Police or appropriate regulatory agencies.

The Command particularly encourages members of the public to report unusual excavation activities, movement of heavy-duty mining equipment, suspicious transportation of mineral resources and the sudden establishment of mining camps in locations where such operations have not previously been known to exist.

The Commissioner of Police assured the public that credible information provided to the Command will be treated with appropriate confidentiality.

He further cautioned residents against confronting suspected illegal miners or taking the law into their own hands, stressing that all reports should be forwarded to the Police for professional investigation and necessary action.

The Command will continue to conduct intelligence-led operations aimed at identifying illegal mining locations, dismantling unlawful networks and bringing offenders to justice.

CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has reiterated that the protection of lives, property, natural resources and the economic interests of Akwa Ibom State remains a priority of the Command.

He therefore called for the cooperation of all stakeholders, emphasizing that the fight against illegal mining requires the collective responsibility of security agencies, regulatory bodies, traditional institutions, community leaders and members of the public.

“Akwa Ibom State will not be turned into a safe haven for illegal miners. Anyone who chooses to exploit the natural resources of the State outside the law should be prepared to face the consequences,” the Commissioner of Police warned.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to maintain law and order and to ensure that persons engaging in activities capable of threatening the security, environment and economic wellbeing of the State are held accountable.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against violent crime and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the State.

This follows the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

According to a press statement from the police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John,the arrest followed a swift response by Police operatives to a distress alert in the early hours of 14 September 2026.

“At about 0500 hours, operatives of the Command, while on vehicular patrol, received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to Ikot Ekweng Village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, following a reported violent attack.

The patrol team immediately proceeded to the scene, where they met Inspector Henry, who reported that he had allegedly been attacked by one Ini Mfon.

According to preliminary information, the suspect allegedly attacked the officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle. During the attack, the officer sustained an injury to his right hand.

Following the report, the operatives immediately launched a follow-up operation and successfully traced the suspect to his residence, where he was arrested.

A subsequent search of the premises led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes, allegedly found in his possession.

The recovery of the firearms and other dangerous weapons has opened further lines of investigation, as detectives are working to determine the source of the weapons, establish whether they had been used in previous criminal operations, and ascertain whether the suspect is connected to other criminal elements or syndicates operating within or outside Ibiono Ibom.

The suspect is currently in Police custody and assisting investigators, while the recovered weapons have been secured as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their prompt response, courage and professionalism, describing the arrest and recovery as another indication of the Command’s determination to take the battle against violent crime directly to criminal elements.

The CP warned that the Command would continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols and other lawful security operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms and dismantling criminal networks across the State.

He further cautioned persons involved in armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and other violent crimes that Akwa Ibom State will not provide a safe haven for criminal elements.

The Commissioner of Police also urged members of the public to continue partnering with the Police by promptly reporting suspicious persons, criminal hideouts and the possession, movement or circulation of illegal firearms within their communities.

The Command assures members of the public that all credible information supplied to the Police will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.