Police arrest suspected armed robber, recover “very dangerous” pistols and machetes in Akwa Ibom
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.
The arrest followed a distress call received by police operatives in the early hours of September 14, 2026, after a reported violent attack in Ikot Ekweng village.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Timfon John disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Uyo.
According to John, operatives on vehicular patrol received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to the village following a report of an attack at about 5 a.m.
The patrol team met an Inspector Henry, who alleged that he had been attacked by one Ini Mfon. The suspect reportedly attacked the police officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle, leaving him with an injury to his right hand.
John said the operatives subsequently traced the suspect to his residence, where he was arrested. A search of the premises led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes allegedly found in his possession.
The statement partly 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.”
Detectives are investigating the source of the weapons to determine whether they had been used in previous criminal operations and if the suspect is linked to other criminal syndicates within or outside the local government area.
The suspect remains in police custody and is assisting with the investigation, while the recovered weapons have been secured as exhibits.
Commissioner of Police CP Baba Mohammed Azare commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism, saying the arrest demonstrated the command’s resolve to tackle violent crime.
Azare said the command would sustain intelligence-led policing, targeted raids and aggressive patrols to recover illegal firearms and dismantle criminal networks across the state.
“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.
The commissioner added that Akwa Ibom would not be a safe haven for persons involved in armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms, urging residents to report suspicious activities and the movement of illegal firearms to the police.
Comments
Post a Comment