Akwa Ibom State Police Command has declared a major breakthrough in the fight against crime, with the arrest of 63 suspects, recovery of 19 firearms, and rescue of 22 trafficking victims, following weeks of sustained operations across the state.
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, who disclosed this at a press briefing held Wednesday at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, said the successes were the product of intelligence-led operations and the cooperation of residents.
“These achievements are a testament to the commitment, diligence, and professionalism of our officers, as well as the collaborative efforts of the good people of Akwa Ibom State,” the CP stated.
From Eket to Uyo, operatives smashed multiple criminal hideouts. Two suspected cultists were arrested in Ikot Udota, where police recovered a Beretta pistol, laptops, phones, and suspected narcotics. In another sting, a shrine filled with coffins, charms, and fetish items was uncovered in Abak, leading to the arrest of five suspects linked to robbery and rape.
A seven-man robbery gang was also dismantled in Obot Akara, with officers recovering guns, motorcycles, army camouflage, charms, and even a police-crested cap from their hideout.
In Mkpat Enin, a 27-year-old kidnap kingpin, John Ubong Akpan, was gunned down after opening fire on police during a raid. Similarly, operatives foiled a kidnap attempt in Eket, rescuing a victim unhurt and seizing a cache of weapons, including AK-47 rifles, an assault rifle, pump-action shotgun, and ammunition.
Two notorious kidnap suspects — Victor Bassey Tom, alias Igbo Man/Mami, and Nelson Samuel — were also nabbed.
Perhaps the most chilling case was the rescue of 20 trafficked Ghanaians, held in a compound in Obio Etoi, Uyo. The victims, 10 males and 10 females, were reportedly disoriented, raising fears of hypnosis. In a related operation, police arrested 47-year-old trafficker, Alex Omosivie, who confessed to selling young women into prostitution in Libya and Burkina Faso for as little as ₦50,000.
A fake ophthalmologist was unmasked after duping over 300 villagers by administering olive oil and juice as eye medication. In Uruan, a 30-year-old ritualist, Cletus Bassey, was caught supplying charms and “bulletproof” concoctions to robbers.
Meanwhile, joint security teams foiled a transformer vandalism attempt in Ika LGA, arresting two suspects armed with gas cylinders, iron cutters, and towing chains.
Police recovered four stolen vehicles, arrested car theft syndicates, and seized piles of forged documents, camouflage, and fake Road Safety gear. Four drug peddlers were also caught in Uyo with substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
Cult-related violence accounted for the highest number of arrests, with 18 suspects in custody across operations.
Between August 1 and September 3, the Command recorded:
63 suspects arrested (including armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, traffickers, vandals).
19 firearms recovered (including AK-47s, pistols, pump-action, dane guns).
104 rounds of ammunition seized.
22 victims rescued, including trafficked persons and kidnap targets.
75 major crime cases cracked.
The Commissioner urged citizens to remain vigilant and continue providing intelligence.
“Akwa Ibomites are urged to report any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest Police Station or call the emergency numbers,” CP Azare said.
Hotlines provided include: 08028916010, 08020913810, 09169839215, and 08039213071.
With the string of arrests and recoveries, the Police Command is reaffirming its determination to make Akwa Ibom a no-go zone for criminals.
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