A swift response by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has foiled what could have turned into a deadly shooting at a palace in Essien Udim Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of an armed suspect and the recovery of a locally made pistol.
The dramatic intervention followed a distress call received at the Command Control Room in Uyo at about 9:00 p.m. on July 1, reporting that a 42-year-old man, Bassey Udo Idiong, had allegedly stormed a palace in his community with a locally made pistol and threatened to shoot the occupant.
Police operatives immediately raced to the scene, where they successfully disarmed the suspect without firing a shot or recording any casualty. The locally made pistol was recovered, while the suspect was taken into custody for further investigation.
The operation is the latest breakthrough in the Akwa Ibom State Police Command’s intensified campaign against violent crime and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state.
Police authorities said investigations have commenced to trace the origin of the recovered weapon, establish the motive behind the alleged attack, and identify any accomplices connected to the suspect. He is expected to be arraigned in court upon the conclusion of the investigation.
Commending the officers for their swift and professional conduct, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s resolve to sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at flushing out criminal elements from every part of the state.
He also appealed to residents to continue partnering with the Police by providing timely and credible information, assuring them that all reports would be handled confidentially.
The Command warned that there would be no safe haven for criminals, reiterating its commitment to protecting lives and property and ensuring that Akwa Ibom remains safe for all residents.
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