Akwa Ibom State Police Command has again recorded a major breakthrough by arresting a suspect linked to daring armed robbery, criminal conspiracy, and alleged use of juju to dispossess victims of millions of Naira in Uyo.

The incident, which occurred in November 2025, was reported to the Command through a petition dated November 20, 2025.

According to the complainant (names withheld), who said she was waiting along Uruan Street, Uyo, on November 19, 2025, to board a commercial vehicle when a saloon car stopped and offered her a ride.

Unaware that the occupants were members of a criminal syndicate, she entered the vehicle, and after driving for a distance, the suspects suddenly diverted from the route, produced a firearm, and forcefully seized her ATM card.

She stated that , she was compelled at gunpoint to disclose her Personal Identification Number (PIN).

According to her, the suspects allegedly invoked juju and hypnotized her before forcefully took her to her residence, where they ransacked the house and carted away ₦900,000 in cash.

A statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, “Further investigations revealed that the syndicate also withdrew an additional ₦3.3 million from the victim’s bank account using her ATM card, to transfer the funds into different bank accounts bringing the total amount lost to ₦4.2 million.

She said, “Upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command immediately swung into action, and through investigation, the Police on February 3, 2026, arrested one Benjamin Patrick, male, of No. 29 Ebong Isong Street, Uyo.

“His bank account and Point of Sale (POS) terminals were allegedly used to withdraw the stolen funds within a five-minute interval.

“The victim positively identified the suspect as one of the occupants of the vehicle in which she was robbed of her ATM card, who is currently in Police custody”.

Police said, the three POS machines used in the illegal withdrawal of the funds were also recovered, while efforts are intensified to track other members of the syndicate to dismantle the network.

CP, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Baba Azare has reassured members of the public of their commitment to ensuring that, all those involved in the heinous crime are brought to justice.

He warned that Akwa Ibom State is not safe for criminal elements to carry out their trade and, urged the residents to remain vigilant, avoid boarding suspicious vehicles, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest Police station.