Police arrest suspected armed robber, recover locally made firearm
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally made firearm during an operation in Uyo, as it intensifies efforts to tackle violent crime across the state.
The suspect, identified as Edidiong Udoeyen, was arrested on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at about 10:30 pm after police operatives on stop-and-search duty along the Mayflower area of Oron Road responded to a distress call from a resident of Ikot Okubo Village in Uyo Local Government Area.
*Firearm
Etim Ekpimah
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally made firearm during an operation in Uyo, as it intensifies efforts to tackle violent crime across the state.
The suspect, identified as Edidiong Udoeyen, was arrested on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at about 10:30 pm after police operatives on stop-and-search duty along the Mayflower area of Oron Road responded to a distress call from a resident of Ikot Okubo Village in Uyo Local Government Area.
According to the command, the caller reported that suspected armed robbers were operating within the community.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said that operatives mobilised to the area immediately and, working alongside vigilant community youths, cordoned off and searched the neighbourhood.
She said, “Police operatives immediately mobilised to the area and, working alongside vigilant community youths, cordoned off and searched the neighbourhood. The operation led to the arrest of the suspect, while a medium-sized locally made firearm was recovered from his possession.
“Other suspected members of the gang reportedly fled on sighting the police. The command said a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.”
The suspect is currently in police custody and will be investigated to determine his alleged role in the criminal activities and to help identify other members of the suspected gang.
Commending residents for their vigilance and timely information, the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Azare, said the success of the operation underscored the importance of collaboration between the police and the public in combating crime.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led and proactive policing, assuring residents that efforts would continue to deny criminals a haven anywhere in the state.
The commissioner also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to the police, assuring them that all reports would be treated with the strictest confidentiality.
