Police Dismantle Illegal Firearms Network in Akwa Ibom, Arrest Two Suspects

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a major breakthrough in its ongoing campaign against the proliferation of illegal firearms, following the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of a cache of weapons and gun-making equipment during a coordinated operation in the state.

The operation was carried out by operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), a special tactical unit created by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to combat violent crimes and emerging security threats across the country.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the operation was conducted in the early hours of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, following credible intelligence on the activities of individuals allegedly involved in the local fabrication, servicing and repair of firearms in parts of Okobo and Eket Local Government Areas.

She said the intelligence-led raid was in line with the directives of the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, aimed at curbing the spread of small arms and light weapons, which have continued to fuel crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism and communal violence.

During the operation, police operatives recovered three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns, ten locally fabricated single-barrel guns, four iron barrels used in the manufacture of firearms, two gas cylinders, two toolboxes containing fabricated implements and tools used for the construction, servicing and repair of firearms, as well as one live cartridge.

The police said the items recovered strongly suggest the existence of an organized illegal firearms fabrication and maintenance network operating within the affected communities. Investigators believe the operation has dealt a significant blow to the activities of criminal elements who rely on locally manufactured weapons to perpetrate crimes.

Following the raid, two suspects identified as 39-year-old Effiong Ekpenyong and 78-year-old Godwin Nduaesa were arrested. Police authorities said preliminary investigations are ongoing to determine the extent of their involvement and uncover other members of the suspected criminal syndicate.

The Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s determination to dismantle all illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking networks operating within the state. He warned individuals involved in the illegal production, repair, distribution or possession of firearms to immediately abandon such activities or face the full consequences of the law.

CP Azare also assured residents that the Command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property through proactive policing and intelligence-driven operations. He stressed that the fight against illegal arms proliferation remains a critical component of efforts to enhance public safety and reduce violent crime across the state.

The police further appealed to members of the public to continue supporting security agencies with credible and timely information that could aid crime prevention and the arrest of criminal suspects, assuring that all information received would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The latest operation adds to a series of recent successes recorded by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in its efforts to curb criminality and strengthen security across the state.