The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested six suspected members of a criminal gang and recovered two locally fabricated shotguns, ammunition and six motorcycles believed to have been stolen.
The arrests followed intelligence received on September 5, 2026, about the alleged movement of a gang from Ikono Local Government Area towards Ini Local Government Area to carry out a criminal operation.
Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists on Friday in Uyo.
According to John, operatives acted on the intelligence and pursued the suspects to a border community between Akwa Ibom and Abia states, where three gang members, including the alleged leader, were arrested. Another suspect reportedly escaped.
The police subsequently expanded the investigation, leading to the arrest of three more suspects in coordinated operations across Ikono, Ini, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene Local Government Areas.
The command said the operation represented a major breakthrough in its efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in communities across the state.
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.”
The arrested suspects were identified as Gideon Udoh, 23, also known as “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.
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 gang’s alleged technical operative.
The command said preliminary investigations had linked the suspects to a range of alleged offences, including armed robbery, kidnapping, car snatching, rape, cult-related activities, drug dealing, extortion and attempted murder in Akwa Ibom and neighbouring states.
Police said the operation also yielded two locally fabricated shotguns, two live cartridges, three expended cartridges and six serviceable motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.
“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.
“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.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, praised the officers involved in the operation, describing their conduct as professional and courageous.
Azare said the command would not allow armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, extortionists or other criminal elements to operate freely in the state.
He said the police would sustain intelligence-led operations and collaboration with other security agencies to tackle criminal activities.
The commissioner also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities in their communities.
“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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