Police arrest six over suspected armed robbery, kidnapping in Akwa Ibom

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The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested six suspected members of an alleged criminal gang and recovered two locally fabricated shotguns, ammunition and six motorcycles suspected to have been stolen in coordinated operations across four local government areas of the state.

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The suspects were arrested in Ikono, Ini, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas following intelligence received by the command on September 5, 2026, according to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John.

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In a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Uyo, the state capital, John said the intelligence indicated that the gang, allegedly operating from Ikono Local Government Area, was moving towards Ini to carry out a criminal operation.

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The statement read, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to dismantle criminal networks terrorising communities across Ikono, Ini, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas, with the arrest of six suspected members of a notorious criminal gang and the recovery of firearms, live and expended cartridges, as well as motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.”

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According to the police, operatives launched a pursuit that extended to the Akwa Ibom-Abia State boundary, where three members of the gang, including the alleged ringleader, were intercepted and arrested. One other suspect reportedly escaped.

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The police said further investigation and intelligence-led interrogation led to the arrest of three additional suspects, bringing the total number arrested to six.

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The suspects were identified as Gideon Udoh, 23, aka “Holy Water Blood”, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA; Martins Udo, 36, of Mbiabong Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA; and Bassey Ukpong, 22, aka “Ekpor”, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA.

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Others are Aniebiet Dominic, 25, aka “Two Second”, of Itak Ikot Akpan Ndem Village, Ikono LGA; David Idaha, 32, aka “Black”, of Nung Ukim Village, Ikono LGA; and Joseph Udo, 25, whom the police described as the alleged technical operative of the gang.

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The police said preliminary investigation linked the suspects to alleged armed robbery, kidnapping, car snatching, rape, cult-related activities, drug dealing, extortion and attempted murder in parts of Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states.

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The items recovered, according to the command, include two locally fabricated shotguns, two live cartridges, three expended cartridges and six serviceable motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.

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“Following a determined pursuit, operatives successfully intercepted and apprehended three members of the gang, including the alleged ringleader, at a border community between Akwa Ibom and Abia States. One other suspect reportedly escaped during the operation.

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“Items recovered so far in connection with the investigation include: two locally fabricated shotguns; two live cartridges; three expended cartridges and six serviceable motorcycles suspected to have been stolen”, part of the statement said.

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The State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers involved in the operation for their professionalism and courage.

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Azare reiterated that there would be no haven for armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, extortionists and other criminal elements in Akwa Ibom State, adding that the command would continue to deploy intelligence-led policing and inter-agency collaboration.

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He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely information on suspicious activities, assuring them that such information would be treated confidentially.

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“I commend the officers involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism, and I call on members of the public to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious persons, movements and criminal activities within their communities. Such information will be treated with the necessary confidentiality”, he said.

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