Police arrest suspected armed robber in A’Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest followed a distress alert received by police operatives in the early hours of September 14, 2026, after a reported violent attack in Ikot Ekweng village.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Uyo.

According to John, operatives on vehicular patrol received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to the village following the report of an attack at about 5am.

She said the patrol team met an Inspector Henry, who alleged that he had been attacked by one Ini Mfon.

The suspect reportedly attacked the police officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle, leaving him with an injury to his right hand.

John said the operatives subsequently traced the suspect to his residence, where he was arrested.

She added that a search of the premises led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes allegedly found in the suspect’s possession.

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The statement partly read, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against violent crime and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state, following the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.”

The police spokesperson said detectives were investigating the source of the weapons and would determine whether they had been used in previous criminal operations and if the suspect was linked to other criminal syndicates within or outside the local government area.

She said the suspect remained in police custody and was assisting with the investigation, while the recovered weapons had been secured as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism, saying the arrest demonstrated the command’s resolve to tackle violent crime.

Azare said the command would sustain intelligence-led policing, targeted raids and aggressive patrols to recover illegal firearms and dismantle criminal networks across the state.

“We will continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols and other lawful security operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms and dismantling criminal networks across the state. Any credible information supplied to the police will be treated with utmost confidentiality,” he said.

The CP added that Akwa Ibom would not be a safe haven for persons involved in armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms, urging residents to report suspicious activities and the movement of illegal firearms to the police.