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.

…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.