The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its sweeping crackdown on cultism, cyber fraud, vandalism, armed robbery, and impersonation, leading to the arrest of multiple suspects and the recovery of firearms, live cartridges, stolen government materials, and electronic devices across the state.
In a series of intelligence-driven operations, operatives of the Command dismantled criminal networks allegedly involved in stealing public property, impersonating top government officials, and engaging in cult-related and violent crimes.
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s determination to make Akwa Ibom “hostile and unbearable for criminals,” warning that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
One of the major operations followed the reported theft of renovation materials from a Federal Government College on May 21. Police investigations led to the arrest of four suspects, including a school security guard allegedly entrusted with protecting the facility.
The suspects — David Ukpe, Emmanuel Johnny, Murtala Muhammad, and Sani Abubakar — were accused of conspiring to steal burglary proofs meant for hostel renovation projects and selling them for personal gain.
Police recovered the stolen materials, while preliminary findings reportedly showed the suspects had confessed and were assisting investigators in tracking other collaborators.
In another dramatic breakthrough, detectives arrested a suspected notorious fraudster, Imeobong Akpan, accused of impersonating the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Emem Bob, on fake social media accounts.
The suspect was allegedly using fake WhatsApp and Facebook profiles bearing the Commissioner’s identity and photographs to deceive unsuspecting job seekers.
Investigators said the suspect confessed to posing as both the Commissioner and his Personal Assistant, allegedly luring more than ten women to hotels under false promises of government jobs while extorting money from victims.
Police recovered a mobile phone and other electronic devices now undergoing forensic examination as investigations continue into the suspected cyber fraud network.
In a separate operation in Ikot Ekpene, police operatives intercepted and arrested two suspected cultists and armed robbery suspects while they were reportedly moving suspiciously on a motorcycle.
The suspects, identified as Iniobong Albert, an HND 1 Civil Engineering student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, and Daniel Akpan, were arrested with a locally made shotgun, two live cartridges, a suspected protective charm, an Android phone, a cross bag, and a QLINK motorcycle.
During interrogation, the principal suspect allegedly confessed to being a member of the proscribed Ku Klux Klans (KKK) Confraternity and admitted they were on an unlawful mission before their arrest.
Police said the suspects are already providing useful information aiding efforts to track down fleeing gang members and recover more weapons.
CP Azare reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, cybercrime, vandalism, armed robbery, and violent criminality, assuring residents that intelligence gathering and surveillance operations had been intensified across the state.
“Akwa Ibom State will not be a safe haven for criminals,” the Police Commissioner declared, as he urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting security agencies with credible information.
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