September 04, (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has recorded significant breakthroughs in crime fighting between August 1 and September 3, 2025, with the arrest of 63 suspects for various offences, recovery of 19 firearms, and rescue of 22 human trafficking victims.
Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, disclosed this on Wednesday in Uyo, noting that the achievements reflect the professionalism of officers and the cooperation of residents in tackling insecurity.
Among the highlights was the neutralisation of a notorious kidnapper, John Ubong Akpan, in Mkpat Enin LGA, and the rescue of 20 Ghanaian nationals trafficked into Uyo.
Two other Nigerian victims were also freed, while the alleged ringleader, 47-year-old Alex Omosivie, was arrested.
The Command also smashed several armed robbery and car theft syndicates, recovering four stolen vehicles.
Suspects confessed to stealing nine cars in different operations. Police further foiled a kidnap attempt in Eket, rescuing the victim and seizing an AK-47 rifle, assault rifle, pump-action shotgun, and other weapons.
Cultism featured prominently, with 18 suspected cultists arrested in Eket, Abak, Ikono, Obot Akara, and Mkpat Enin LGAs.
Seven members of a Ku Klux Klans confraternity cell were apprehended after allegedly assaulting a student in Ikot Osurua and stealing ₦41,000 and his phone.
In Uruan LGA, police arrested a suspected ritualist and recovered fetish items including coffins, photographs, and sanitary pads from shrines linked to cult groups.
A fake medical doctor, Gabriel Gideon, was also nabbed in Itu LGA for allegedly parading himself as an ophthalmologist and administering unapproved concoctions to hundreds of residents at ₦500 per person.
Two suspects attempting to vandalise an electricity transformer in Ika LGA were arrested during a joint police-military operation, while seven robbery suspects were captured in Obot Akara following a raid on their hideout.
Firearms, motorcycles, charms, and military camouflage were recovered. Another armed robber, Imoh Gavin Akpan, was killed in a gun battle in Ikot Ekpene.
In all, the Command arrested 12 armed robbery suspects, six suspected kidnappers, 18 cultists, five vandals, and others linked to murder, burglary, and illicit drug dealing.
The total haul included 19 firearms—among them an AK-47 rifle, English Beretta pistol, pump-action shotgun, and 14 locally made pistols—alongside 104 rounds of ammunition. Four stolen vehicles were also recovered.
Azare urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing intelligence to security agencies.
“These operational successes are not only testament to the diligence and professionalism of our officers, but also to the collaboration of the good people of Akwa Ibom State,” he said.
