Aniefiok Christopher
A police officer in Akwa Ibom is detained an being probed over alleged shooting of a seven-year-old child at a police check point in Uyo, the authorities say.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed is reported to have ordered an immediate, thorough and impartial investigation into the incident involving personnel of the Quick Response Squad (QRS) over alleged shooting and causing a seven-year-old child to sustain an injury along Abak Road, Uyo, on 11 September, 2026.
A press release signed by DSP Timfon John, Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer for the state Commissioner of Police, said ‘‘Preliminary information available to the Command indicates that at about 2130hrs, Police personnel conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along Abak Road stopped a vehicle conveying members of a family.
”It was alleged that during the encounter, a smoke pistol was discharged by one of the officers, resulting in an injury to the left hand of a seven-year-old boy who was inside the vehicle.
‘‘Immediately the incident was brought to the attention of the Commissioner of Police, he directed that the officer allegedly involved, Inspector Monday Okonta, be identified, disarmed and detained at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Uyo, pending the outcome of a comprehensive investigation.’’
According to the statement, ‘‘Demonstrating the seriousness with which the Command views the incident, CP Baba Mohammed Azare personally visited the injured child at the hospital, where he interacted with the family, assessed the condition of the child and assured them that the matter would be thoroughly investigated. The child is presently in stable condition and responding to treatment.’’
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CP Azare expressed concern over the incident and assured the family of the injured child that the Command would establish the full circumstances surrounding the matter.
The Commissioner of Police reiterated that while officers of the Command would continue to discharge their lawful duties of crime prevention, stop-and-search and protection of lives and property, such duties must at all times be carried out with the highest level of professionalism, restraint, responsibility and respect for the safety and rights of members of the public.
He further emphasized that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command will neither shield nor condone any act of misconduct, recklessness or abuse of authority by any officer.
Accordingly, where the investigation establishes misconduct or culpability, appropriate disciplinary and legal measures will be taken in accordance with extant laws and Police regulations.
The CP appealed to the family concerned and members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its full course, assuring that the process will be transparent, professional and fair to all parties.
He also urged members of the public to continue to cooperate with Police officers at lawful checkpoints and stop-and-search points, while assuring citizens that genuine complaints against personnel will continue to receive prompt and appropriate attention.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property, upholding the rule of law and maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and accountability.
Police arrest two suspected drug dealers of Indian Hemp
In another development, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested suspected drug dealers and other perpetrators of violent and organised crimes across the state.
A press release by DSP John, the Command’s spokesperson, said ’’Operatives of the Command have raided a suspected criminal hideout in Idu Uruan Village, Uruan Local Government Area, resulting in the arrest of two suspected drug dealers and the recovery of a large quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Cannabis sativa.
‘‘The operation, which was conducted at about 0130 hours on 9 September 2026, followed credible intelligence received by the Command regarding the activities of suspected criminals operating from the location.
Acting swiftly on the intelligence, police operatives conducted a coordinated raid on the suspected criminal hideout, leading to the arrest of: Fortune Effiong (Male) and Comfort Effiong (Female).’’
According to it, ‘‘A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of substantial quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Cannabis sativa, believed to have been intended for distribution and consumption.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commends the operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment to duty, and has directed that the investigation be pursued to its logical conclusion.
The Command is particularly concerned about the activities of individuals and criminal networks involved in the illicit distribution of narcotic substances, given the devastating consequences of drug abuse on public safety, youth development and the overall security of communities.
The Commissioner of Police reiterates that Akwa Ibom State will not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminals, drug dealers, cultists, violent offenders or other elements whose activities threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens.
The Command further urges members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide credible and timely information on the activities of suspected criminals to the Police. Such information will be treated with the requisite confidentiality and used to strengthen ongoing security operations.
Police arrest suspected robbery gang, recover firearms
Meanwhile, the State Police Command has dismantled 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,’’ DSP John, Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer, stated.
The statement noted ‘‘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 included: Gideon Udoh, male, 23 years, aka Holy Water Blood, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA; Martins Udo, male, 36 years of Mbiabong Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA; and Bassey Ukpong, male, 22 years, aka Ekpor, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA;
Others were Aniebiet Dominic, male, 25 years, aka Two Second, of Itak Ikot Akpan Ndem Village, Ikono LGA; David Idaha, male, 32 years, aka Black, of Nung Ukim Village, Ikono LGA; and Joseph Udo, male, 25 years, identified as the gang’s alleged technical operative.’’
According to the statement, ‘‘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.
