Akwa Ibom State Police Command has swiftly hauled 54 criminal suspects to its dragnet within 49 days.
A breakdown shows that the command nabbed six robbery, seven kidnapping, one murder, 30 cultism, six transformer vandalism and four burglary and stealing suspects.
Moreover, the command recovered two double barrel cut to size locally made gun, one incomplete long gun, three single barrel/cut-to-size guns, 18 locally made pistols, four ammunitions, eight empty cartridges, 14 live cartridges, two vehicles, two long iron pipes, 50 arms/ammunitions while three kidnapped victims were rescued.
Also read: Police Rescue seven pregnant women, five infants in Akwa Ibom
Already, the command says it has prepared their case files to arraign the suspects in court for trial.
Addressing the press at Akwa Ibom Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia in Uyo on Thursday, 19 June, the State Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, said the Command has continued to maintain high operational momentum across the State from the month of May 2025, to date, a period that witnessed intensified intelligence-led policing, prompt tactical response, and fruitful community collaboration.
CP Azare stated ‘‘On the 1st May 2025 at about 05:00hrs, operatives of the Command acting on credible information arrested one Ekong Isaiah Akpan (m) aged 22 yrs and one Joseph Ekong Edem (m) aged 19 yrs. Suspect were alleged to specialized in robbing Uyo, Itu Local Government Area and its environs. Search was conducted on them and the following exhibits were found in their possession:
1 locally made pistol
1 battle axe
1 hammer
1 weapon scissor
Some substance suspected to be hard drugs.
‘‘Suspects confessed to being members of dreaded secret cult group known as Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC) Investigation is still ongoing to arrest other fleeing gang members and the suspects will be charge to court.
‘‘On the 3rd May, 2025 acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command stormed a guest house in Ntak Inyang and arrested three suspects: one Joseph Ekeng Edet of Akon Itam (m), one Ekon Isiah (m), and one Esther Otobong Edem (f), all suspected members of Kuklux Klan cult group.
And exhibits recovered during the operation include:
One locally fabricated pistol
A battle axe
Hammer
Torchlights
Items suspected to be charms
Other offensive weapons.
Meanwhile, five robbery victims have positively identified the suspects. Suspects will have their day in court.’’
‘‘On the 4th of May, 2025 at about 0600hrs while conducting an operation to raid a criminal hotpot, officers apprehended long-sought suspect involved in vandalism of electrical infrastructure. Acting on credible information the suspect identify as Nsikan Raphael Etukudo a 40 year-old male from Ikot Udo village, Ukanafun Local Government Area was sighted in the vicinity of Annang People’s Primary School Uruk Otong. Mr. Etukudo who has been on the Police wanted list for previous offences was apprehended while he was actively engaged in vandalism.
Exhibits recovered as follows:
A Plier
A cutter
High tension aluminum cable
2 iron poles
Other insulators
Investigation is ongoing, suspect will have his day in court.
According to him, ‘‘On 8th May, 2025 at about 0204 hrs acting on credible information at the Command’s disposal, operatives of the Command arrested one Joseph Alafia (m) in Oron, suspected to be a kidnapper. Upon investigation, he led the Police to the arrest of one Oyibo Ayibakumo Brown (m) of Bayelsa State, one Wisdom Harry (m) of Rivers State, one Afanye Igonikon (m) of Rivers State, one Dare Olaniyi (m) Ogun State and one Tita Mercy Masume (f) of Cameroon at Esit Eket in conjunction with same offence and a Lexus RX 300 SUV and five mobile phones were recovered. All suspects are currently under detailed investigation and will be charged to court.
‘‘On the 9th of May 2025 about 03:30hrs, operatives of the Command apprehended one Ubong Aniefiok Edit (m) alias “Maf Fine Face,” the suspect is identified as a member of the Mafia confraternity and the leader of a criminal gang responsible for series of burglary in Idoro road axis and its environs. The suspect was apprehended while returning from an operation and the following items were recovered from him:
A generator alternator
1 Qlink motorcycle
Investigation is still ongoing to apprehend fleeing accomplices.’’
The Commissioner of Police further announced that ‘‘On the 9th of May, 2025 at about 05:05hrs, operatives of the Command responding to a distress call reporting the presence of a suspected pipeline vandal at Ikot Oboron. The Police swiftly dispatched to the location, intercepted and arrested one Ekwere Obiowo Ernest a 36 year-old male, a native of Ukam in Edemaya clan in the act of vandalizing oil pipelines and recovered the following items:
1 Firman FGP 088EG Generator
1 filing Iron
Various types of spanners
1 Siemens Germany Tool Box
24 Large Bolts and Nut
1 Package of welding equipment
2 pairs of trousers
2 polo vest
4 long spanners
1 constructed Iron bar
1 food flask containing food supplies
The suspect will have his day in court
‘‘On 10th May, 2025 at about 1206hrs, operatives of the Marine Police, while conducting search and rescue operation along the Oron/Calabar waterways received information from a reliable source about an ongoing sea pirate attack. Upon receiving the information, operatives the marine swiftly mobilized to the scene. On sighting the Marine Police patrol boats, the hoodlums’ opened fire sporadically. The police operatives returned fire, forcing the pirates, who sustained bullets wounds, to escape into a shallow creek. The police stormed the pirates camp which was successfully raided and the following items were recovered:
1 A W23 speedboat fitted with a 200HP Yamaha engine gearbox
1 15HP Yamaha engine
Dismantled engine parts
1 Dane gun
1 improvised tools box
1 Emage petrol generator
1 OX standing fan
1 rubber container with materials suspected to charms
1 white candle
1 black wallet containing
1 WAEC ID card with the name Patrick Edet Effiong
2 recent passport photographs
1 brown handbag containing some tablets
2 rounds of K2 live ammunitions
2 empty shells of K2 ammunitions
1 wristwatch
1 marker
1 perfume
1 black thread and needle
1 body cream
Effort are being intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects.’’
The Number One Police in the state also stated ‘‘On the 16th of May 2025, at about 0830hrs, operatives of the Command, responding to a distress call from a man (name withheld) of Ikot Imoh village in Abak Local Government Area, who reported that his 24yr-old son, one Ubong Friday Benson of the same address threatened to kill him with a dagger. Operatives swiftly responded and arrested the suspect. Further search of suspect possession led to the recovery of the following:
1 locally made pistol
1 dagger
1 iron filer
1 long iron chisel
1 iron hammer
1 penknife
Suspect will have his day in court.
‘‘On 18th of May, 2025, based on credible intelligence at the Command’s disposal, the operatives of the Command raided a black spot at Ikot Ofon Ikono Village, Uyo and arrested one Christian Bassey Essang ‘m’, Ofonime Aniedi Abraham (m) and Aniedi Effiong Dickson ‘m’ and recovered one locally made revolver pistol and substances suspected to be hard drugs. Investigation is still ongoing as suspects will have their day in court.
‘‘On the 19th May 2025 at about 01:00hrs, the operatives of the Command conducted an intensive patrol along Ikot Okoro Road in Oruk Anam Local Government Area. Upon reaching an area known as NO MAN’S LAND, the Police sighted two armed individuals who appeared to be lying in wait to commit armed robbery. The Police swiftly pursued the suspects and successfully arrested one Blessing Sunday Etukudo ‘m’ of Ebenwang Village in Ika Local Government Area. A search was conducted on him and the following items were recovered:
1 Qlink Motorcycle
1 locally made pistol
1 Plastic mask
1 live cartridge
1 rubber facemask
Suspects will have his day in court.
‘‘On the 21st May, 2025 at about 0800hrs acting on credible information at the Command’s disposal, the Operatives arrested one Asuquo Archibong Effiong, a male originally from Esuk Mba village in Bakassi Local Government Area, Cross River State, but residing in Ibiaku Ishiet village, Uruan LGA, who confessed to being a member of the Mafia cult group and also confessed to his involvement in burgling houses in Ifa Atai village, Uyo LGA and its environs.
His confession led to the arrest of six alleged criminal receivers of stolen goods:
Augustine Ita Essien (m),
Sadam Musa (m),
Usman Haruna (m),
Umar Abubakar (m),
Murtiala Muhammed (m),
Emmanuel Sunday (m) residing in Ring Road 3, Uyo.
Exhibits recovered from the suspect include;
8 Solar Panels
1 Generator
Several pieces of iron rods
Quantities of nails and binding wires.
Manhunt for fleeing syndicate members in progress. Meanwhile, investigation is still ongoing.
Azare narrated that ‘‘On 21st of May, 2025 at about 02:00hrs acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command arrested one Emeka Ezenwangu (m) and one Kingsley Ini Etim (m) both of Atan Offot Village, Uyo who broke into a Supermarket along Aka road, Uyo and stole assorted provisions and valuables. Value yet to be estimated. The tricycle used by the suspects for the operation was recovered. Meanwhile, investigation is ongoing.
‘‘On 23/5/2025 at about 1330hrs, based on credible intelligence at the Command’s disposal, operatives of the Command arrested one Ubong Sunday Etim (m) a suspected leader of a dreaded armed robbery gang in Uyo Local Government Area, who specializes in robbing people of their phones and valuables. Instant search led to the recovery of one locally made pistol and android phone. The suspect will have his day in court.
‘‘On the 23rd of May 2025, at about 01:15hrs, operatives of the Command acting on the credible intelligence, arrested one Babangida Idris Usman (m) and Awalu Abdullahi (m) both suspected receivers of stolen properties and Items recovered are as follows:
14 sewing machine heads
1 generator
So far, two victims have come forward and positively identified their stolen machines among the recovered items.
‘‘On 25/05/2025 at about 0204hrs acting on credible intelligence, Operatives of the Command through a distress call repelled an Armed Robbery attack at Atan Offot, Uyo Local Government Area. One of the hoodlums was neutralized in a gun duel while one of the hoodlums who escaped with bullets wounds and was given a hot chase, was later arrested unconscious and immediately rushed to the hospital where he was confirm dead by a medical doctor.
Items recovered from the operation include:
1 double barrel cut to size locally made gun loaded with live cartridge
2 live cartridge
1 small techno button phone
1 Huawei-phone
1 sachet of Chelsea dry gin
1 torchlight
1Toyota 4 Runner Jeep with Reg. No. AK240AOS with ignition key abandoned by the hoodlums
1 One Toyota corolla ignition key
Jewelries
120 Ghana Cedis
28 Coins of different dominations and countries
1 bottle of smart perfume
1 brown bag containing cloths and slippers
Three victims were successfully rescued (names withheld).
‘‘On the 26th of May, 2025 at about 0900hrs following credible information at the Command’s disposal, operatives of the Command arrested one Salvation Emmanuel Jim (m), 29 yr-old of Edem Utin Street, while actively vandalizing Bishop Clarks Central Primary School, Abak Local Government Area. The suspect is alleged to specialize in vandalizing school structures.
The following items were recovered:
1 some of the training equipment belonging to State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB)
2 ceramic sink
1 PVC door
1 small screw driver
Several strands of window frames
1 food pack,
8 cartons of chalk
1 bell
1football pump
Keys to classroom
Textbooks
Investigation is still ongoing as suspects will have his day in court.
‘‘On the 28th of May, 2025 at about 18:30hrs, based on credible information, a suspected cult gang was intercepted at Ikot Etuk Village, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA.
One Utibe Edem Asuquo (m) aged 31, Godwin Edet Edem (m) aged 32, Usen Edem Eyo (m) aged 29, Aniebiet Edet Edem (m) aged 28, and Anthony Dominic Edem (m) aged 32.was arrested. The suspect voluntarily provided useful information to the Police regarding their criminal activities which include their involvement in a recent attack on Fulani herdsmen, which resulted in the killing of 2 cows. The stolen cows were reportedly shared among various cult groups within Ibesikpo Asutan. Items recovered include:
1 locally made pistol
1 fabricated single-barrel gun
Items suspected to be charms.
Investigation still in progress meanwhile the suspects will be charge to court.
‘‘On the 28th of May, 2025 at about 0845hrs following credible information at the command’s disposal, operatives of the command arrested one Abdulahi Mustapher (m) 23yr-old and one Daniel Fabian Inyang (m) 35 year-old for vandalizing armored street light cable along Airport Road. The cables were part of the street lighting infrastructure installed by the Akwa Ibom State Government. Armored cable wires were recovered from them. Investigation is still ongoing as suspects will have their day in court,” the Commissioner of Police concluded.
