The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against violent crime and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the State, following the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
A statement signed by the command public relations officer DSP Timfon John said the arrest followed a swift response by Police operatives to a distress alert in the early hours of 14 September 2026.
At about 0500 hours, operatives of the Command, while on vehicular patrol, received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to Ikot Ekweng Village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, following a reported violent attack.
The patrol team immediately proceeded to the scene, where they met Inspector Henry, who reported that he had allegedly been attacked by one Ini Mfon.
According to preliminary information, the suspect allegedly attacked the officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle. During the attack, the officer sustained an injury to his right hand.
Following the report, the operatives immediately launched a follow-up operation and successfully traced the suspect to his residence, where he was arrested.
A subsequent search of the premises led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes, allegedly found in his possession.
The recovery of the firearms and other dangerous weapons has opened further lines of investigation, as detectives are working to determine the source of the weapons, establish whether they had been used in previous criminal operations, and ascertain whether the suspect is connected to other criminal elements or syndicates operating within or outside Ibiono Ibom.
The suspect is currently in Police custody and assisting investigators, while the recovered weapons have been secured as exhibits.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their prompt response, courage and professionalism, describing the arrest and recovery as another indication of the Command’s determination to take the battle against violent crime directly to criminal elements.
The CP warned that the Command would continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols and other lawful security operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms and dismantling criminal networks across the State.
He further cautioned persons involved in armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and other violent crimes that Akwa Ibom State will not provide a safe haven for criminal elements.
The Commissioner of Police also urged members of the public to continue partnering with the Police by promptly reporting suspicious persons, criminal hideouts and the possession, movement or circulation of illegal firearms within their communities.
The Command assures members of the public that all credible information supplied to the Police will be treated with utmost confidentiality.
Investigation is ongoing, and the suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of the investigation.
