Akwa Ibom Police Command has begun manhunt for attackers of herders and burglary suspects in the state.
‘‘The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt for a group of individuals involved in a conspiracy, assault, and stealing incident that occurred on September 11, 2025, in Etoi village, Uyo Local Government Area,’’ DSP Timfon John stated.
John, the state Police Public Relations Officer in a press release dated September 13 said’’ At approximately 5:30PM on Thursday, September 11, 2025, police received a distress call from a man (name withheld) in Etoi village. The caller reported that a herder was being held hostage in the bush and one of his cows had been killed by unknown persons.
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‘‘Upon receiving the information, Operatives immediately dispatched to the scene. The suspects fled upon sighting the police, leaving behind six sacks of cow meat. The herder (name withheld) of Jada LGA in Adamawa State, had managed to escape with the rest of his herd.’’
According to her, ‘‘When Prince Ahmed Aliyu, the Secretary to the Cattle Dealers Association of Akwa Ibom State was contacted, he identified the slaughtered cow as belonging to Alhaji Siddiki Makaka who also hails from Jada LGA, Adamawa State.
‘‘The six sacks of recovered meat have since been handed over to the owner. Discreet investigation is ongoing to ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice.
‘‘The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains committed to protecting the lives and property of all citizens and urges anyone with information related to this incident to come forward.’’
Police in manhunt for burglary suspects
Meanwhile, the police have have launched a manhunt for burglary suspects alleged to be involved stealing one Lister generator, one Linco air conditioner, and one large Fireman Sumec generator.
Already, police had arrested a burglary suspect who was unlucky to escape the theft for questioning.
A release by DSP Timfon John, the Police spokesperson dated September 12 said ‘‘On September 1, 2025, said ‘‘At approximately 1300 hours, police received an intelligence report regarding a burglary and stealing incident in Uyo Local Government Area.
‘‘Acting on the information, operatives arrested one Udeme Effiong Asuquo, a male resident of Ifa Ikot Okpon village, Uyo. Asuquo is alleged to have burgled his father’s home at the same address, making off with one Lister generator, one Linco air conditioner, and one large Fireman Sumec generator.
‘‘Investigations revealed that Asuquo sold the stolen items to receivers. Upon the arrival of the police, the receivers fled the scene. Efforts are underway to apprehend them and recover other stolen property.’’
‘‘Further developments will be communicated as the investigation continues,’’ she noted.
In another development, John stated ‘‘The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully recovered additional firearm and apprehended a suspect as part of an ongoing investigation into criminal conspiracy, cultism, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
‘‘The operation, which began with a case under investigation led to the initial recovery of one locally made pistol on August 27, 2025.
‘‘Acting on new intelligence and as a follow-up to the initial recovery, Operatives of the Command on September 3, 2025, at approximately 4:00 AM conducted an operation at Ikot Ekop/Ataifa community in Etinan Local Government Area. During the operation, the Police recovered one single-barrel rifle, four live cartridges, and five expanded cartridges.’’
In a release dated September 11, she said ‘‘One suspect by name Bassey Dennis Bassey was also arrested at Ataifa Village, Etinan.
‘‘This operation is a testament to the police commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the public. Efforts are currently underway to recover more firearms and apprehend other suspects linked to these criminal activities.’’
