Police arrest suspected robber in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police have arrested a suspected armed robber. They also recovered two locally made guns and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

The police made the arrest after receiving a distress call in the early hours of September 14, 2026.

Timfon John, the police Public Relations Officer, shared this information in a statement released on Monday in Uyo. She explained that police operatives on patrol received an emergency alert from the Control Room.

The alert sent them to Ikot Ekweng Village in Ibiono Ibom after a violent attack was reported around 5am. The patrol team met Inspector Henry, who said he was attacked by a man named Ini Mfon.

According to John, the suspect hit the officer with a machete while trying to steal his tricycle. The attack left the officer with an injury on his right hand.

The statement said, "The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained effort against violent crime and illegal firearms. This followed the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of two locally made guns and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

The arrest came after a quick response by the police to a distress call early on September 14, 2026. Around 5am, police operatives on patrol got an emergency alert from the Control Room to go to Ikot Ekweng Village after a violent attack was reported,” part of the statement said.

The police PRO said that after the report, officers tracked the suspect to his house and arrested him.

“A search of the house led to the recovery of two locally made guns and two machetes, which were found with him,” the statement noted.

John mentioned that detectives are trying to find out where the guns came from, if they were used in past crimes, and if the suspect is connected to other criminal groups in or out of the local government.

She added that the suspect is currently in police custody and helping with the investigation. The recovered weapons are being kept as evidence.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, praised the officers for their quick response and professionalism. He said the arrest shows the command's commitment to fight violent crime.

He warned that the police will continue with intelligence-led policing, focused raids, and active patrols to recover illegal guns and break up criminal groups.

"We will keep pushing our intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols, and other lawful security actions to recover illegal firearms and dismantle criminal networks in the State. Any credible information given to the police will be kept confidential,” he stated.

Azare also said that Akwa Ibom will not be a safe place for those involved in armed robbery or illegal gun possession. He urged residents to report any suspicious behavior and the movement of illegal weapons.