By: Abdullahi Inuwa
UYO – Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally fabricated firearm during a swift operation triggered by a distress call from residents of Ikot Okubo Village in Uyo Local Government Area.
The suspect, identified as Edidiong Udoeyen, was apprehended at about 10:30 p.m. on Saturday after police officers on stop-and-search duty along the Mayflower axis of Oron Road responded to reports that an armed robbery gang was attacking the community.
According to the Police Command, the operatives teamed up with vigilant youths in the area to cordon off and comb the neighbourhood, leading to the arrest of the suspect and the recovery of a medium-sized locally fabricated firearm.
Other members of the gang reportedly fled on sighting the police, prompting the Command to launch a manhunt to track them down and bring them to justice.
The suspect is currently in police custody and will undergo further investigation to determine his role in the alleged criminal activities and expose the wider criminal network.
Commending residents for their vigilance and timely information, the Commissioner of Police said the successful operation underscored the importance of community participation in crime-fighting, stressing that effective policing thrives on strong collaboration between the police and the public.
He assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led and proactive operations to deny criminals safe haven across the state while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information, with a guarantee that such reports would be treated with strict confidentiality.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating criminality and ensuring a safe and secure environment for all residents of Akwa Ibom State.
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