Police arrest six suspected armed robbers, recover guns in Akwa Ibom

Photo: Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested six suspected armed robbers allegedly terrorising 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 by operatives of the command’s tactical team in identified criminal hideouts across the three local government areas.

In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on Thursday in Uyo, the police said the operation followed sustained intelligence gathering aimed at dismantling the remaining members of a criminal network responsible for a series of armed robberies and motorcycle thefts in the area.

The arrested suspects were identified as Peter Sabbath, 34, of Ikot Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene LGA; Joseph Udo, 25, of Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono LGA; and Victor Igwe, 23, of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village, who allegedly specialises in producing fake receipts for stolen motorcycles.

The others were Boniface Essiet, 37, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono LGA, an alleged native doctor who provides charms and fetish materials to the gang; Simeon Udo, 47, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono LGA; and Uko Akang of Asanting Village, who was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle with registration number AUQ 73 VC.

The statement read, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery and other violent crimes with the arrest of six suspected members and associates of an armed robbery gang operating within Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the state.

“The arrests were made in the early hours of Wednesday during a coordinated clearance operation conducted by police operatives in identified criminal hideouts within the three Local Government Areas.

“The suspects arrested are: Peter Sabbath, male, 34 years, native of Ikot Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene LGA; Joseph Udo, male, 25 years, native of Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono LGA; and Victor Igwe, male, 23 years, native of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village, alleged to specialise in the production of fake receipts used to facilitate the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles.

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“Boniface Essiet, male, 37 years, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono LGA, alleged to be the native doctor providing charms and other fetish materials to members of the gang; Simeon Udo, male, 47 years, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono LGA; and Uko Akang, male, of Asanting Village, who was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle, registration number AUQ 73 VC.”

The police spokesman said items recovered from the suspects included two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops, one suspected stolen motorcycle, local charms and other fetish items recovered from the shrine of the suspected native doctor, as well as other incriminating materials.

The statement added, “During the operation, six suspects were apprehended, including a suspected native doctor alleged to have been providing charms and other fetish preparations for members of the gang, as well as another suspect alleged to specialise in producing fake receipts used to facilitate the disposal and sale of suspected stolen motorcycles and other items.

“Items recovered during the operation include: two single-barrel shotguns; three laptops; one suspected stolen motorcycle; local charms and other fetish items recovered from the shrine of the suspected native doctor; and other materials relevant to the ongoing investigation.”

Reacting to the breakthrough, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their courage and professionalism.

He further directed that the investigation be intensified to establish the individual roles of the suspects, recover more stolen property and arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

The CP reiterated that the command would continue to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to deny criminals safe havens in the state.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to deny criminals safe havens and dismantle criminal networks operating within the state. The command will continue to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to identify criminal elements, disrupt their operational networks and bring perpetrators to justice,” the CP said.