AKWA IBOM POLICE ARREST SIX SUSPECTED ARMED ROBBERS, RECOVER SHOTGUNS
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By:Aminat Tajudeen
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested six suspected members and associates of an armed robbery gang allegedly terrorising communities in Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the state.
The suspects were apprehended in the early hours of Wednesday during a coordinated clearance operation carried out by operatives of the command’s tactical team at several identified criminal hideouts across the three local government areas.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Thursday.
According to the statement, the operation was conducted following sustained intelligence gathering aimed at dismantling a criminal network allegedly linked to a series of armed robbery incidents and motorcycle thefts in the affected communities.
The suspects were identified as Peter Sabbath, 34, from Ikot Inyang Village in Ikot Ekpene LGA; Joseph Udo, 25, of Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono LGA; and Victor Igwe, 23, of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village.
Police alleged that Igwe was involved in producing counterfeit receipts reportedly used to facilitate the sale and disposal of stolen motorcycles.
The other suspects were identified as Boniface Essiet, 37, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono LGA; Simeon Udo, 47, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono LGA; and Uko Akang of Asanting Village.
According to the police, Essiet is a native doctor who allegedly supplied charms and other fetish materials to members of the gang. Akang was reportedly arrested with a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle bearing registration number AUQ 73 VC.
Items recovered during the operation included two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops, one suspected stolen motorcycle, local charms and other fetish materials allegedly found at the shrine of the suspected native doctor.
The command added that other items considered relevant to the investigation were also recovered.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the tactical team for its courage and professionalism during the operation.
Azare ordered the investigators to intensify efforts to determine the specific roles played by each suspect, recover additional stolen property and track down other members of the alleged gang who remain at large.
He also reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive and intelligence-led policing aimed at preventing criminals from using parts of the state as safe havens.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to deny criminals safe havens and dismantle criminal networks operating within the state,” Azare said.
He added that the command would continue to identify criminal elements, disrupt their operational networks and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
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