By: Abdullahi Inuwa
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has struck a decisive blow against violent crime, dismantling a notorious armed robbery syndicate that terrorised Ikot Ekpene and neighbouring local government areas.
In a swift, intelligence-driven operation carried out on Saturday, February 8, 2026, police operatives stormed the gang’s hideout at Ikot Otu Village, Ikot Ekpene LGA, arresting key members and recovering dangerous weapons and incriminating materials.
The operation, executed at about 8:30 a.m., followed actionable intelligence and led to the arrest of Elijah Akpan, 48, who was found in possession of four expended cartridges and two Special Protection Unit (SPU) police badges. Investigators say the badges were used to impersonate law enforcement officers, a ploy aimed at deceiving and intimidating unsuspecting residents during criminal operations.
Further investigations quickly unraveled the syndicate’s network, resulting in the arrest of another suspect, Nsikak Udo, 32, identified as the custodian of the firearm used by the gang.
Recovered items include a single-barrel gun, eight expended cartridges, three small containers of gun powder, and materials used for the illegal reloading of ammunition—evidence, police say, of a well-organised and dangerous criminal enterprise.
The Command described the illegal possession of police badges and locally reloaded ammunition as a grave threat to public safety, noting that such tactics undermine public trust and embolden criminal violence.
Both suspects are currently in custody as detectives intensify efforts to dismantle the entire criminal network, trace the source of the weapon and ammunition, and apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
Reacting to the breakthrough, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reassured residents that criminals have no hiding place in Akwa Ibom State. He warned that aggressive, intelligence-led operations and targeted raids would continue across the state to keep communities safe.
The Police Command also called on the public to remain vigilant and support security agencies with timely and credible information, stressing that effective security is a shared responsibility.
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