Akakan Umoh
The Akwa Ibom Police Command crack down on illegal firearms manufacturing network led to recovery of cache of guns and arrest of two suspects in the state.
This formed the command’s sustained campaign against the proliferation of illegal firearms and the activities of criminal elements across the state.
‘‘The success was achieved by operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a strategic initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu PSC(+), NPM, designed to aggressively tackle the menace of violent crimes and other emerging security threats,” as stated by DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, in a press release.
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According to the release, ‘‘In line with the strategic directives of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, aimed at curbing the spread of small arms and light weapons, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a coordinated intelligence-led raid on identified locations suspected to be used for the local fabrication, servicing, and repair of firearms within the Okobo and Eket axes of the State.
‘‘The operation, which was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, 2nd June, 2026, at about 0300hrs, yielded significant results. During the raid, the operatives recovered three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns and 10 locally fabricated single-barrel guns.”
”Others are four iron barrels used in gun fabrication, two gas cylinders, two toolboxes containing various fabricated implements and tools used for the construction, servicing, and repair of firearms and one live cartridge.
”The recovered items strongly indicate the existence of an illegal firearms fabrication and maintenance network operating within the affected areas.
”Two suspects: Effiong Ekpenyong, male, 39 years and Godwin Nduaesa, male, 78 years, were arrested.
”Preliminary investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of their involvement and to identify and apprehend other members of the criminal network.’’
The Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to dismantling illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking syndicates, noting that the proliferation of firearms remains a major enabler of violent crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and communal violence.
Azare warned individuals involved in the illegal production, repair, distribution, or possession of firearms to desist immediately or face the full weight of the law. The Command remains resolute in its mission to rid the State of criminal elements and ensure the safety and security of all residents.
He advised members of the public to continue supporting the Police by providing timely and credible information that will assist in preventing crime and apprehending offenders.
