May 25 (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom Police Command has announced a major breakthrough in its ongoing offensive against violent crime, disclosing the arrest of 178 suspects and the recovery of 69 firearms in a sweeping crackdown across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, made the disclosure on Monday, during a press conference at the State Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, where he detailed a series of intelligence-led operations targeting armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking and illegal possession of firearms.
According to the police boss, the operations also led to the rescue of 16 kidnapped victims and 11 victims of human trafficking, alongside the recovery of three suspected stolen vehicles and 468 rounds of ammunition.
Azare said the Command’s aggressive strategy, which includes coordinated raids, surveillance operations, tactical interventions and stop-and-search exercises, had significantly disrupted criminal networks operating within the state.
One of the major breakthroughs, he said, was the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin, identified as Francis Akpan, and four accomplices during an operation at Okobo Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area.
Police operatives reportedly recovered 23 large bags containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp, as well as a motorcycle and dismantled outboard boat engines believed to be linked to criminal activities.
The CP said the operation exposed the transnational dimension of illicit drug trafficking activities within and outside Akwa Ibom State.
In another operation along the Aka Road/Ukana Offot axis in Uyo, operatives intercepted a suspect riding an electric scooter. The suspect reportedly abandoned the scooter and fled upon sighting the police.
A subsequent search led to the recovery of a locally fabricated pistol, charms, a mask and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The Command also arrested one Aniefiok Mbana over alleged stealing and unlawful possession of firearms. Items recovered from him included a suspected stolen motorcycle, a fabricated pistol, a dane gun, cartridges and suspected charms.
Similarly, police operatives arrested one Uduak Daniel, 28, alleged to be a member of a robbery syndicate specialising in dispossessing commercial motorcyclists of their motorcycles at gunpoint.
Recovered from the suspect were a locally made pistol, an axe, a knife, wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, illicit substances, mobile phones and other incriminating items.
The Command further arrested a 63-year-old suspect, Asuquo Okon, at James Town Junction while allegedly transporting two bags containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
Giving a breakdown of recoveries made within the review period, the CP said the Command recovered 34 locally made pistols, three Beretta pistols, 10 single-barrel guns, four double-barrel guns, one G3 rifle, one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, 12 dane guns and other firearms.
The Command also arrested 27 suspected armed robbers, six suspected kidnappers, 14 murder suspects, 49 suspected cultists, 22 vandals and 60 burglary and stealing suspects.
Azare commended officers and men of the Command for what he described as professionalism, courage and operational resilience in the fight against crime.
He also appreciated the support of the Akwa Ibom State Government under Governor Umo Eno, noting that collaboration between security agencies and the government had strengthened the fight against criminality.
The CP announced that commendation certificates would be awarded to officers who distinguished themselves during the operations.
He warned criminals operating in the state to desist or face the full weight of the law.
“There will be no safe haven and no breathing space for criminals in Akwa Ibom State”, Azare declared.
