Akwa Ibom: Police arrest suspected armed robber in hotel hideout

Operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, have arrested one Ifiok Owoidem over his alleged involvement in armed robbery operations in Uyo.

The suspect was arrested in a hotel hideout, according to a statement by Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on Tuesday.

The statement said the arrest was made following actionable intelligence. Items recovered from the suspect include two locally made pistols, one expanded cartridge, two machetes and bottles containing substances suspected to be charms.

The statement read, "On 19th October 2026, at about 1900 hours, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), Akwa Ibom State Police Command, acting on credible intelligence, received information concerning suspected armed robbers allegedly responsible for robbing and terrorising residents of Ifa Atai and its surrounding communities.

"The suspects were reportedly sighted brandishing weapons in what was suspected to be an attempt to attack an unsuspecting member of the public.

"Demonstrating operational alertness and a swift response to the intelligence received, the operatives immediately moved to an identified hotel within Ifa Atai, where the suspects were allegedly hiding and smoking substances suspected to be hard drugs.

"The operation resulted in the arrest of one Ifiok Owoidem, male, aged 26 years, an indigene of Okon Ikot Essien Village in Essien Udim Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. However, one other suspect currently at large is being sought by the operatives."

The statement noted that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, adding that the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has reiterated the command’s resolve to confront criminality through intelligence-led policing, proactive crime prevention, strategic deployment of operatives and sustained collaboration with members of the public.

Akwa Ibom: Police arrest suspected armed robber in hotel hideout