23-year-old arrested with loaded gun in A’Ibom

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man, Mfon Essien, for allegedly being in possession of a locally made shotgun loaded with a live cartridge in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.

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Essien, of Ikot Inyang Itak Village, Ikono Local Government Area, was arrested around 12:30pm on Sunday, September 6, 2026, along Ayah Road, off Uyo Road, Ikot Ekpene.

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The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare.

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John said the suspect was intercepted by police operatives acting on credible intelligence.

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She said, “During a search conducted on the suspect, operatives recovered one locally made shotgun loaded with a live cartridge, which was carefully concealed in his clothing.”

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The PPRO said Essien was immediately arrested, while the firearm and ammunition were secured as exhibits.

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She added that the suspect remained in police custody and was undergoing interrogation as part of an ongoing investigation.

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According to the statement, the investigation would establish the source of the firearm, the purpose for which Essien was allegedly carrying it and whether he had links with other individuals or criminal networks involved in the acquisition, movement or use of illegal firearms.

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Reacting to the arrest, Azare reaffirmed the command’s resolve to tackle the unlawful possession and circulation of firearms across the state.

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The CP said the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, targeted operations, patrols and other lawful crime-prevention measures to remove illegal weapons from the streets before they could be used to commit violent crimes.

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He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide the police with timely and credible information about suspicious persons, illegal firearms and other criminal activities.

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Azare assured members of the public that the identities of informants would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

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The statement added that the command remained committed to safeguarding lives and property and sustaining peace and security across Akwa Ibom State.

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