The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has arrested suspects linked to cultism, armed robbery, and burglary, as well as recovered firearms and stolen property.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Command said operatives, acting on credible intelligence, on 3 September 2025, at about 4:00 am, stormed Ikot Ekop/Ataifa community in Etinan Local Government Area.
During the operation, the police recovered a single-barreled rifle, four live cartridges, and five expended cartridges. One suspect, identified as Bassey Dennis Bassey, was also arrested at Ataifa Village in connection with the case.
The operation followed an earlier breakthrough on 27 August, when the Command recovered a locally made pistol in the same investigation into criminal conspiracy, cultism, armed robbery, and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to the PPRO, the latest recovery “is a testament to the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of the public.” He added that efforts are ongoing to track down other suspects and recover additional arms.
In a separate development, the Command disclosed that on 1 September 2025, at about 1:00 pm, police operatives arrested another suspect, Udeme Effiong Asuquo, in Uyo Local Government Area for burglary and stealing.
Asuquo, a resident of Ifa Ikot Okpon village, allegedly broke into his father’s residence at the same address, carting away a Lister generator, a Linco air conditioner, and a large Fireman Sumec generator.
Investigations revealed that the suspect sold the items to receivers of stolen property, but the receivers fled upon the arrival of police operatives. The PPRO noted that “efforts are underway to apprehend the receivers and recover other stolen items.”
The statement, however, assured members of the public that the Command remains resolute in combating crime and urged communities to continue to provide useful information to aid police operations.
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