Seven arrested as Police raid shrine, hideout of terror gang in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a suspected notorious armed robbery syndicate that had been terrorising Ikot Ekpene and surrounding communities.

Seven suspects were arrested, and a firearm was recovered in a coordinated operation.

According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, the breakthrough followed the neutralisation of one of the gang leaders during a foiled robbery and the arrest of the overall leader in Imo State.

His confession reportedly led police to the syndicate’s operational base in Ikot Osong village, Obot Akara Local Government Area, a hideout that also doubled as a shrine where members allegedly fortified themselves before operations.

At about 2:30 a.m. on August 8, 2025, operatives stormed the hideout, arresting: David Effiong Silas (aka Davido, 29), Etido Udo Lazarus (26), Etimbuk Thursday Udofia (25), Ime Effiong Silas (aka Udo Doctor, 27), Joseph John Nelson (31), Nduese Solomon John (32), and Imo Effiong Udofia (22).

Recovered items include one locally made cut-to-size double-barrel gun, two expanded cartridges, one live cartridge, one live 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition, five motorcycles, a bicycle, three face masks, two power banks, multiple mobile phones, a police-crested cap, an army camouflage cap, suspected charms, and a liquid substance allegedly used for native protection.

The Command also disclosed that on August 7, 2025, at about 5:30 a.m., operatives raided an uncompleted building at Plot 70, Unit ‘A’, Ewet Housing Estate, Uyo. The suspects fled through the back door on sighting police vehicles, abandoning suspected stolen items.

The recovered items from the second operation include three split-unit air conditioners, a sewing machine, wax materials, curtains, T-shirts, a school bag, native attires, a gown, jerseys, a teddy bear, and other household items.

DSP John urged members of the public to assist in tracing the owners of the recovered property and in providing information that could lead to the arrest of other fleeing suspects. She reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents of the state.

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