Police arrest robbery suspects, recover weapons in Akwa Ibom

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered a locally made pistol, a live cartridge and a stolen motorcycle during separate operations in the state.

Police said the suspects, Thankgod Daniel, 21, and Ekom Effiong, 44, both from Ukanafun Local Government Area, were arrested during a stop-and-search operation at Etinan Roundabout at about 10:30 pm on 11 June 2026.

The suspects were riding an unregistered red QLINK motorcycle and allegedly attempted to flee on sighting a police patrol team. Their actions prompted officers to pursue and arrest them.

A search conducted on the suspects led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, one live cartridge and an Android phone.

According to the police, the suspects confessed during interrogation to stealing the motorcycle from a victim in Afaha Nsit, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area. They also allegedly admitted to being members of a four-man armed robbery gang, three of whom were armed during the operation.

Police said efforts were ongoing to arrest the remaining gang members and investigate other crimes linked to the syndicate.

In a separate operation, police officers executed a search warrant at the residence of a 69-year-old Isidore Udousoro in Ikot Ayankana Village, Abak Local Government Area, on 15 June 2026.

Udousoro is being investigated over allegations of cultism, assault, malicious damage and threats to life.

During the search, officers recovered a locally made pistol and a machete concealed within the premises. He was arrested and the exhibits taken into custody.

The police said investigations were continuing to determine his level of involvement in the alleged offences and any links to other criminal activities. He is expected to be charged in court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers involved in the operations and reiterated the command’s commitment to tackling cultism, illegal possession of firearms and other criminal activities.

He assured residents that intelligence-led policing, strategic patrols, stop-and-search operations and raids on criminal hideouts would continue across the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, added that the command urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to support efforts to maintain security and public safety.