UYO – The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded significant operational breakthroughs in its intensified war against crime, with the recovery of 69 firearms, arrest of 178 criminal suspects.
The police also rescued kidnapped, human trafficking victims, and dismantled several criminal syndicates operating across the State.
Addressing journalists at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to sustain aggressive operations aimed at making Akwa Ibom State completely hostile to criminal activities.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John on Tuesday in Uyo, the achievements were made possible through intelligence-led policing, coordinated raids, tactical stop-and-search operations, surveillance missions, and strategic interventions across identified criminal flashpoints in the State.
The Commissioner disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs recorded during the review period was the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, Francis Akpan, alongside four accomplices during an intelligence-driven raid at Okobo Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area.
He explained that, Police operatives stormed the suspect’s hideout following credible intelligence and recovered twenty-three bags containing dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, a motorcycle, and dismantled outboard boat engines believed to be connected to other criminal activities.
CP Azare noted that, the operation exposed the growing transnational dimension of illicit drug trafficking networks operating within and beyond Akwa Ibom State.
In another operation along the Aka Road and Ukana Offot axis in Uyo, Police operatives intercepted a suspicious man riding an electric scooter. On sighting the Police, the suspect reportedly abandoned the scooter and escaped through an uncompleted building.
A search conducted on the abandoned bag led to the recovery of suspected charms, a mask, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and a locally fabricated pistol. The Police said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and dismantle the criminal network linked to him.
Similarly, operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one Aniefiok Mbana of Ikot Ukam Village over alleged stealing and unlawful possession of firearms.
Items recovered from the suspect included a stolen motorcycle, one fabricated pistol, one dane gun, four expended cartridges, one live cartridge, and assorted suspected charms.
The Command also arrested one Uduak Daniel, aged 28, suspected to be a member of a robbery syndicate specializing in dispossessing motorcycle riders of their motorcycles at gunpoint.
Recovered items included one locally made pistol, one axe, one knife, suspected charms, wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, bottles containing illicit substances, mobile phones, rings, and other incriminating materials.
The Police stated that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.
Also, during a stop-and-search operation at James Town Junction, operatives arrested one Asuquo Okon, aged 63, from Etebi Billion in Esit Eket Local Government Area, while allegedly transporting two large bags containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
CP Azare further disclosed that the Command recovered a total of sixty-nine firearms during various operations across the State.
The recovered firearms include thirty-four locally made pistols, three Beretta pistols, ten single-barrel guns, four double-barrel guns, one G3 rifle, two toy guns, twelve dane guns, one pump-action gun, one AK-47 rifle, and one locally made gun.
The Commissioner also revealed that four hundred and sixty-eight rounds of ammunition were recovered during the operations.
According to the Police, twenty-seven suspected armed robbers, six suspected kidnappers, fourteen murder suspects, forty-nine suspected cultists, twenty-two suspected vandals, and sixty burglary and stealing suspects were arrested, bringing the total number of suspects apprehended within the review period to one hundred and seventy-eight.
The Command also rescued eleven victims of human trafficking, sixteen kidnapped victims, and recovered three suspected stolen vehicles.
CP Azare commended officers and men of the Command for their professionalism, courage, and dedication to duty, describing the achievements as a reflection of the operational resilience and commitment of the Force in combating crime across the State.
He equally appreciated the Akwa Ibom State Government under the leadership of Governor Umo Eno for its continued support to security agencies in the fight against criminality.
In recognition of outstanding performance and gallantry, the Commissioner announced that commendation certificates would be presented to officers who distinguished themselves during the operations.
The Police Commissioner also thanked residents of the State for their cooperation and timely supply of credible information, emphasizing that security remains a collective responsibility.
He warned criminal elements operating within the State that there would be no hiding place for perpetrators of armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and other violent crimes.
“Your days are numbered. There will be no safe haven and no breathing space for criminals in Akwa Ibom State,” CP Azare warned.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while sustaining aggressive operations to maintain peace, safety, and law and order across the State.
