March 25, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a 60-year-old village head and recovered an AK-47 rifle in a fishing settlement in Mbo Local Government Area, in what it describes as a renewed fight against illegal arms proliferation in the state.
The suspect, identified as Chief Edet, village head of Asik Ubofa fishing settlement in Effiat clan, was apprehended on Tuesday, following actionable intelligence that he owned an illegal firearm.
Police said the operation was carried out on March 24, 2026, at about 10:15 a.m., after the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, ordered a swift response by detectives to verify the intelligence and take necessary action.
During the raid on the suspect’s residence, operatives recovered one AK-47 rifle and two empty magazines. The suspect was arrested at the scene without resistance.
The spokesman of the Command, DSP Timfon John, confirmed in a statement on Wednesday that the suspect is currently in custody, while investigations have commenced to determine the source of the weapon and identify possible accomplices.
“The Command has begun discreet investigations to ascertain the motive behind the possession of the firearm and to apprehend other persons who may be connected to the case”, the statement said.
The police reiterated their resolve to clamp down on illegal arms and criminal elements across Akwa Ibom State, warning individuals in possession of unlawful weapons to surrender them or face prosecution.
The Command also commended residents for providing credible intelligence and urged continued cooperation with security agencies.
