By Augustine Ehikioya
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has made public the achievements recorded against criminals in the State in the last one week.
The Commissioner Of Police in the State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare briefed journalists at the State Police Command Headquarters. It was monitored by Security Watch Africa (SWA).
This briefing, he noted, serves as an opportunity to update the public on the significant achievements of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in the last one week.
He also reassured that the Command remains resolute in its fight against crime and criminality, vowing that all offenders will be brought to justice while upholding law and order across the State.
Giving detailed account of various criminal cases successfully handled by the Command, he said they included arrests, recoveries, and ongoing investigations, which he said reinforces the Command’s steadfast dedication to making Akwa Ibom a safer place for all residents.
He said “On 30/01/2025 at about 0800 hrs based on credible information at the Command’s disposal, that on 28/01/2025 One Samuel Sunday “m” of Ikot Ibiok village in Eket Local GovernmentArea (LGA), a 13 year old pupil of St. Paul Primary School, Ikot Ibiok in Eket LGA was going armed in the school and threatening to fire at his fellow pupils.
“The operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested the suspect and recovered a locally made pistol.”
On interrogation, the CP said, the suspect confessed that he has been with the said gun since November 2024, that he got the gun from a wardrobe in his father’s bedroom.
Based on this, the CP disclosed that the father was later arrested while investigation is still ongoing.
On another case, he said “On the 31/01/ 2025 at about 0900hrs based on credible information at Command’s disposal, that One Abasifreke Udo Thomas ‘m’ (Aka) Udo Orlando or Olamide of Ikot Ibiom village who shot one lady (name withheld) sometimes in December 2024 , was seen in a hotel.
“Operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested the suspect and a locally made pistol was recovered from him. Investigation is still ongoing.”
Speaking on the case of arrests of suspected Cultist and Recovery of firearm, he said “On the 30/ 01/2025 at about 1307hrs , Operatives of the Command arrested One Uyobong Ekong Edet ‘m’ aged 24yrs, Israel Daniel Bassey ’m’ aged 19yrs, Nsikak Asuquo Okon ‘m’ aged 18yrs for attempted murder, cultism and unlawful possession of firearm.”
Items recovered, according to him, include one locally made pistol, three (3) live cartridges, three (3) machetes, a bottle of combined drink with red clothe on it filled with concoction which they confessed to be bullet resistance.
Other items are wraps of weed suspected to be Indian hemp in a black bag, and Cash sum of N371, 550.00
The suspects, the CP said, will be charged to court accordingly.
On another case, he said that operatives of the Command while on patrol came across a scene at Berger Yard off Idoro road where One Evans Andrew ‘m’ aged 32yrs was arrested.
The CP said that during interrogation suspect confessed to being a member of Vikings Confraternity cult group, while investigation revealed that the suspect with his gang members are responsible for the havoc and series of cult clashes within Uyo metropolis.
Items recovered from the suspect include one fabricated locally made pistol, Two live cartridges, Two expanded cartridges, while investigation is ongoing.
Still on the successes, he said, “On the 21/01/2025 at about 1500hrs through a distress call that some hoodlums numbering about 20 invaded Setraco company site located at Use Ikot Amama, Ibiono Ibom LGA and threaten to kill the security man, burnt down the company and fire gunshots thereby causing fear and panic in the community.
“Operatives of the command immediately swung into action with the help of community youth, gave them a hot chase and arrested One Sunday Akpan Stephen ‘m’ and Malachy Idorenyin Asukwo ‘m’.
The following items were recovered One locally made pistol, Three rounds of expanded cartridges, while effort is ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects
The CP went on “Based on credible information at command’s disposal that some persons suspected to have been involved in the robbery incident of One Hon. Akan and Barr. Nsikak were sighted within Abak. Operatives of the Command acted promptly and arrested One Richard Ekpenyong Udoh ‘m’ and One Victor Aniefiok Usunguboho ‘m’ and a locally made pistol and One live cartridge were recovered from them.”
Suspect, he said, will be charged to court.
On other cases, he said “UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SUSPECTED HARD DRUGS: Acting on credible information at the Commanbd’s disposal that some group of boys areselling and smoking indian hemp at a particular location at Hausa lane Ikot Ekpene.
“The operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested One Udeh Thomas Lazarus ‘m’ and four others and large quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp were recovered from them.
Suspects will be charged to court accordingly.
“UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HARD DRUGS: On the 31/01/2025 at about 0200hrs, operatives of the Command during a raid operations arrested three suspected drugs dealers namely ;
i. Peter Asuquo Asangansi ‘m’
ii. Nyong Effiong Nyong ‘m’
iii. Samuel Okon Adatang ‘m’
“Items recovered from the suspects includes i. Large quantity of weed suspected to be Indian hemp
iii. Syringes iii. Razlers iv. Two 25 liters gallon containing ethanol mixed with substances suspected to be Indian hemp. Suspects will have their day in court.”
The CP added “CULTISM/RECOVERY OF MILITARY ACCOUTREMENT AND UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF HARD DRUGS: On the 05/02/2025 at about 0630hrs, based on credible intelligence, the operatives of the Command arrested one Akanimo Sunday ‘m’ one Ekpenno Essien ‘m’ and Ofonono Friday Nelson ‘m’ all of Obio Akpa village in Oruk Anam LGA. Suspects confessed to be members of black Axe and Vikings confraternity.
“A search was conducted at the suspects residence and the following items where recovered
a military camouflage uniform
a bottle wrapped with black and red clothes filled with concoction which they confessed to be bullet resistant weed suspected to be Indian hemp. Suspect will be charged to court.”
“CHILD STEALING / TRAFFICKING: Based on credible information at the Command’s disposal, the operatives of the Command arrested One Roseline Maurice ‘f’ and One Eno Udoka ‘f’. Suspect confessed to conspiring and stealing a child at Obong Itam village in Itu LGA sometime in the month of June 2024 and sold for the sum of (200,000.00) Two hundred thousand naira to their regular receiver in Cross River State and used the money to purchase a refrigerator, television, fan etc.
“All the items were recovered from them.
In another development, On 01/02/2025 at about 0800hr based on a complaint from two young girls 18 yrs of age that One woman attempted to trafficked them to Cross River State for them to have affair with men and get pregnant in order to sell the babies and share the money.
“Operatives of the command swung into action and arrested One Gift Essien Tommy ‘f’ and One Peace Ekanem ‘f’. Investigation is ongoing.”
“DEFILEMENT: On the 01/02/2025 at about 0700hrs, based on a complaint from a woman (name withheld) of Afaha Offiong village, Nsit Ibom that she sent her 9 years old daughter (name withheld) on an errand on the 31/011/2025 at about 1600hrs. On her way going, one Aniefiok Okon Edem ‘m’ age 60yrs of Ikot Ekwere village in Ibesikpo but resides at Afaha Offiong dragged her into the bush, removed her clothes and had carnal knowledge of her and later gave her the sum of N200.00.( Two hundred naira) Operatives of the Command immediately swung into action and arrested the suspect. Suspect will have his day in court.”
On Rape, the CP said “On the 02/02/2025 at about 1530 hrs. Based on a complaint by a woman (name withheld) of about 21yrs old that One Elisha Ekop Etise m’ of Ididep village, Ibiono Ibom, a self-acclaimed prophet who invited her to his church for deliverance due to childlessness and gave her a liquid to mix with water and bath, while bating, the suspect had unlawful carnal knowledge of her.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect have had carnal knowledge of other women within the community. Suspect will have his day in court accordingly.”
“ARREST OF SUSPECTED RAPIST: On the 30/01/2025, operatives of the Command arrested One Anietimfon Anietie Eyo ‘m’ 25yrs old of Afaha Offiong village in Nsit Ibom LGA for defiling a young lady of 17yrs (name withheld).The victim reported that she was forcefully dragged to a nearby bush by the suspect and he forcefully had carnal knowledge of her, tore her clothes and panties. Suspect will be charged to court accordingly.”
“UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF AMMUNITION: Operatives of the command while on stop and search at Ikot Ekpene village along Itu/Ikot Ekpene road, One Otobong Sunday Asuquo ‘m’ of Ikot Udo Edet, Ibesikpo Asutan LGA, but resident of Ojor village in Akamkpa LGA of Cross River State was arrested, upon search of his luggage’s.
“The following items were recovered ;
i. 2 live cartridges
ii. expended cartridges
Upon further interrogation the suspect revealed that he belongs to a syndicate who refills expended cartridges in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA and smuggle to Cross River State.
“Suspect led operatives of the command to Ibesikpo where the refiller one Akaninyene Archibong Udoh m’ of Afaha Atai in Ibesikpo Asutan LGA was arrested. Investigation is ongoing.”
“CULTISM/ ARMED ROBBERY: On the 02/02/2025 at about 0830hrs, One Benjamin, other names Unknown, of Ikpa Road by Atiamkpat axis reported to the police on patrol that he was robbed by two young men along Ikpa road. Operatives immediately swung into action and arrested One Daniel Ntah Dickson ‘m’ of Udo Udoma Avenue aged 19yrs and recovered the stolen phone and a machete from him. The suspect confessed to being a member of Red Skin (Junior Vikings) cult group. Suspect will be charged to court”
“UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF SUSPECTED FAKE AND ILLICIT DRINK. On the 1/2/2025 at about 2030hrs, Operatives of the Command while on stop and search along Esit Eket by James Town junction intercepted a white Mitsubushi L300 bus with registration number XA277KTM loaded with drums filled with substances suspected to be ethanol. One Richard Daniel ‘m’ aged 52yrs and One Samuel Monday ‘m’ aged 50yrs were arrested.”
Upon interrogation, the CP said the suspects confessed to being a major dealer and distributors to those producing fake and illicit drinks.
Investigation is ongoing.
Stressing that the Command will never relent in its effort to rid the State of all crimes and criminalities, he urged the public to continue to support the command with useful information and prayers to succeed.
“If you see something say something and the Command will do something.” he stated.
