By Abdullahi Inuwa
The long arm of the law has caught up with a suspected member of an armed robbery syndicate in Akwa Ibom State after a dramatic police chase along the Mbak Itam axis ended with his arrest and the recovery of items allegedly stolen from a victim at gunpoint.
The suspect, identified as Wisdom Edet, was arrested on August 21, 2026, when operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, conducting a stop-and-search operation, intercepted a tricycle with registration number PBT 322 QN.
According to the Police, Edet was conveying two passengers when the tricycle was flagged down by officers. Rather than stop, the rider allegedly accelerated, prompting the operatives to give chase.
The pursuit took a dramatic turn when the two passengers reportedly jumped from the moving tricycle and fled into the surrounding area, leaving Edet to face the police alone.
A search of the tricycle allegedly uncovered a cache of items suspected to have been linked to criminal activities.
Among the items recovered were an HP laptop, PS4 game player, torchlight, two face caps, power bank, key wallet holder, black eyeglass, two phone chargers, white long-sleeved shirt, nose mask and a long-sleeved jean jacket.
The investigation took another turn later that morning when a man identified as Samuel reported at the police station and positively identified the HP laptop and PS4 game player as his property.
The victim reportedly told investigators that the two items were stolen from him during an alleged armed robbery at gunpoint.
Samuel also identified some of the clothing recovered from the tricycle as similar to what the alleged robbers wore during the attack.
The police said the arrest was part of intensified operations ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, aimed at disrupting robbery and other violent crimes across the state.
The Command said its strategy includes intelligence-led policing, proactive surveillance, targeted stop-and-search operations and aggressive pursuit of suspected criminals.
Commending the officers involved, CP Azare praised their alertness, courage and professionalism, saying the recovery of the suspected stolen property demonstrated the Command’s determination to deny criminals freedom of operation in Akwa Ibom.
The Commissioner also assured residents that the Police would continue to pursue suspected offenders and work to ensure that victims of violent crimes receive justice.
Meanwhile, the Command urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly provide credible information about suspicious persons, movements and activities.
The Police assured members of the public that information supplied would be handled confidentially.
With the arrest of Edet and the recovery of the suspected stolen items, the Akwa Ibom Police Command reiterated its warning to criminal elements operating in the state.
“Criminality has no safe space in Akwa Ibom State,” the Command declared, vowing to continue its pursuit of suspected offenders until they are brought to justice.
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