Akwa Ibom Police Arrest Suspects, Recover Guns and Stolen Items in Crackdown on Crime

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on cultism, cyber fraud, vandalism, armed robbery, and impersonation, leading to the arrest of several suspects and the recovery of firearms, live cartridges, stolen government materials, and electronic devices across the state.

The Commissioner of Police, , said the operations were intelligence-driven and targeted criminal networks involved in stealing public property, impersonating government officials, and engaging in cult-related activities. He reaffirmed the Command’s determination to make the state unsafe for criminals.

One of the operations followed the theft of renovation materials from a Federal Government College on May 21. Police arrested four suspects identified as David Ukpe, Emmanuel Johnny, Murtala Muhammad, and Sani Abubakar for allegedly stealing burglary proof materials meant for hostel renovation projects. The stolen items were later recovered by operatives.

In another operation, detectives arrested a suspected fraudster, Imeobong Akpan, accused of impersonating the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Emem Bob, through fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts allegedly used to defraud job seekers. Police said the suspect confessed to the crime and admitted luring victims with false promises of government jobs, while electronic devices recovered from him are undergoing forensic examination.

Police operatives also arrested two suspected cultists and armed robbery suspects in Ikot Ekpene. The suspects, identified as Iniobong Albert and Daniel Akpan, were allegedly found with a locally made shotgun, two live cartridges, charms, phones, and a motorcycle. According to the police, one of the suspects confessed to being a member of the proscribed Ku Klux Klans confraternity.

CP Azare assured residents that intelligence gathering and surveillance operations had been intensified, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible information.