UYO – The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally fabricated firearm during a late-night operation in Uyo, reinforcing its ongoing crackdown on violent crime across the state.
The suspect, identified as Edidiong Udoeyen, was apprehended on Saturday, June 27, at about 10:30 p.m., following a distress call that suspected armed robbers were operating in Ikot Okubo Village within Uyo metropolis.
According to the Police Command, operatives deployed on stop-and-search duty along the Mayflower axis of Oron Road responded swiftly to the alert from a concerned resident and immediately mobilised to the scene.
Working in collaboration with vigilant community youths, the operatives cordoned off and combed the area, leading to the arrest of the suspect and a medium-sized locally fabricated firearm was recovered from his possession.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Timfon John disclosed that, other members of the suspected criminal gang escaped on sighting the police, but assured that a manhunt had been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
She said, the arrested suspect is now cooling his feets in police custody and will undergo further investigation to determine his veracity of involvement in the alleged criminal activities and uncover other members of the gang.
Commending members of the community for their vigilance and timely information, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Azare said the success of the operation underscored the importance of collaboration between the police and the public in combating crime.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven and proactive policing, assuring residents that efforts to safeguard lives and property would be sustained.
The CP also appealed to members of the public to continue providing timely and credible information to the police, assuring that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.
He reiterated the Command’s resolve to rid Akwa Ibom State of criminal elements and maintain a safe and secure environment for residents to live and carry out their lawful activities.
