Police apprehend armed robbery syndicate, recover firearm in Uyo

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 3-man armed robbery syndicate believed to be responsible for a series of early morning robberies within the Uyo metropolis.

DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, said the arrests were made following a diligent investigation and intelligence-led operation.

She said: “On August 12, 2025, at approximately 0700 hours, a 32-year-old female resident of Sampson Akpan Street, Uyo, reported to the police that while on a morning walk along Believers Assembly Road by Udo Udoma Avenue, she was accosted by two armed men on a black motorcycle.

“The suspects pointed a locally-made pistol at her, threatened her life, and robbed her of an iPhone 12 Pro valued at N650,000.

“Further investigation revealed that this same criminal syndicate had robbed, at least, five other citizens on the same date and was responsible for multiple armed robberies during early morning hours in the city.”

She stated that through discreet investigations, operatives of the command successfully arrested one Ubong Michael Patrick, a 27-year-old indigene of Ikpa Ibiono community in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

John stated that during interrogation, he confessed to the crime and led the police to arrest two other members of the gang: one Ibrahim Kanu, 20 years, a native of Gorore community in Adamawa State, and Nazipi Dahiru, 25 years, a native of Gombe State.

She added that both men are residents of ‘Nassarawa’, a community in Itam, Itu LGA.

John noted that the following items were recovered from the suspects: one black operational motorcycle; one locally-made pistol, and one long dagger knife.

She explained that preliminary findings indicate that the stolen phones were packaged and transported to Kano State for sale to unsuspecting buyers. Efforts are currently underway to recover the stolen items.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reassures citizens of its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and urges the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station.