Police arrest armed suspects, recover illegal firearms in A’Ibom

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on illegal arms proliferation and violent crime, recording a major operational breakthrough with the arrest of armed suspects and the recovery of several firearms in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.

In a coordinated, intelligence-led operation carried out at about 5:55 am on 25 February 2026, operatives of the command, acting on credible information and continuing investigations into a reported case of theft, stormed the residence of a principal suspect at Nung Oku Ibiet 1 Village in Oruk Anam.

The operation led to the arrest of two suspects, identified as Etop Otu and Enobong Umoh. A thorough search of the premises resulted in the recovery of the following items: one double-barreled rifle, five single-barreled rifles, three live cartridges, twenty-two expended cartridges, and one piece of carbide used for refilling spent cartridges.

Police authorities said the quantity and nature of the recovered arms suggest the activities of an organised criminal network capable of posing a serious threat to public peace and security.

The suspects are currently in police custody. Upon conclusion of investigations, they will be charged in court under the relevant provisions of the Firearms Act and other applicable criminal laws, which prescribe severe penalties, including substantial terms of imprisonment, for unlawful possession of firearms and ammunition.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on violent crime, illegal possession of arms, cultism and other activities that undermine public safety.

He stressed that the Command would continue to deploy intelligence-led operations, strategic raids and firm enforcement measures to ensure criminal elements are identified, apprehended and brought to justice.

The Commissioner also warned that anyone found harbouring criminals, concealing illegal firearms, aiding or abetting criminal activities, or obstructing lawful police operations would be treated as a principal offender and prosecuted accordingly.

Members of the public were urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities, criminal hideouts and unlawful possession of firearms to the nearest police formation. Authorities assured residents that all credible information would be treated with strict confidentiality and acted upon decisively.

DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Office, said on Thursday that the command reaffirmed its commitment to ridding Akwa Ibom State of illegal arms and criminal networks, and to maintaining peace, law and order across the state.