Law enforcement dismantles mobile phone theft ring, retrieves 34 pilfered devices in Akwa Ibom

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…secure conviction of influencer who spread fake news on social media

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By Uko Etim

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UYO—The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a phone robbery syndicate and recovered 34 assorted phones in Uyo, while also securing the prosecution of a social media influencer for spreading false security information capable of causing panic.

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Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia on Wednesday in Uyo.

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The CP said operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one Musa Idris, a suspected receiver and distributor of stolen mobile phones linked to an armed robbery syndicate operating along the Calabar–Itu Road axis.

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Investigations, he added, revealed that Idris was previously arrested in October 2025 for armed robbery and possession of over 200 assorted Android phones suspected to be stolen.

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Items recovered from him include 34 assorted Android phones, 2 button phones, 1 standing fan, 1 rechargeable table fan, 1 80,000mAh power bank, 1 tricycle with Reg. No. AFG 64 WO, 1 jack knife, and quantities of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.

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“The recovered phones are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of armed robbery operations carried out by criminal elements operating within and outside Akwa Ibom State,” the CP stated.

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CP Azare disclosed that the suspect made useful statements revealing a wider criminal network involved in moving and reselling stolen phones beyond Nigeria’s borders. He said efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large.

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On fake news, the CP announced the conclusion of investigations into Akaninyene Udo, popularly known online as “AK Philo”, who allegedly circulated a threatening message captioned “Eket get ready for us” alongside the image of an armed bandit.

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“The suspect was charged before a competent court and subsequently remanded in a Correctional Centre,” he said.

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“The creation, publication, or dissemination of false security alerts and misleading information capable of causing public panic remains a criminal offence, and offenders will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” CP Azare warned.

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The Commissioner also announced a statewide enforcement operation targeting vehicles operating with covered, altered, obscured, defaced, or absent registration number plates, in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

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He urged motorists to ensure proper registration and visibility of plate numbers to deny criminals the opportunity to use unregistered vehicles for crime.

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CP Azare further commended the IGP for providing First Aid Boxes to Commands nationwide and announced that some officers would receive Certificates of Commendation for exemplary professionalism captured in a viral social media video.

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He urged residents to support police with timely and credible information, adding: “We shall not relent in our efforts to ensure that criminals have no hiding place within our jurisdiction.”

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