Akwa Ibom: Police arrest suspected armed robber, recover guns

Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered two locally made pistols as well as two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer in the state, Timfon John, and made available to journalists in Uyo disclosed that the arrest was made possible through a distress call to the command.

John said operatives on vehicular patrol received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to Ikot Ekweng Village in Ibiono Ibom after a report of a violent attack at about 5am.

According to her, the patrol team met one Inspector Henry, who alleged that he was attacked by one Ini Mfon.

The police spokesperson said the suspect allegedly attacked the officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle, leaving the officer with an injury to his right hand.

The statement read, “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.”

“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,” part of the statement said.

The police PRO said following the report, operatives 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 statement said.

John said detectives were working to determine the source of the weapons, whether they had been used in previous operations and if the suspect was linked to other criminal syndicates within or outside the local government.

She added that the suspect was currently in police custody and assisting investigators, while the recovered weapons had been secured as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism, saying the arrest demonstrated the command’s resolve to tackle violent crime.

He warned that the command would sustain intelligence-led policing, targeted raids and aggressive patrols to recover illegal firearms and dismantle criminal networks.

“We will 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. Any credible information supplied to the police will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” he said.

Azare added that Akwa Ibom would not be a safe haven for persons involved in armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms, and urged residents to report suspicious activities and the movement of illegal firearms.

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