By Our Correspondent
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against armed robbery and violent crimes with the arrest of six suspected members and associates of a notorious armed robbery gang terrorizing Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the state.
The arrests were made in the early hours of Thursday, September 17, 2026, during a coordinated clearance operation carried out by police operatives in identified criminal hideouts across the three local government areas.
In a press release signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, LLB, Anipr, for the Commissioner of Police, the Command disclosed that the operation was led by the officer in charge of the tactical team, following sustained intelligence gathering and operational planning aimed at dismantling the remaining members and associates of the criminal network.
According to the police, the gang had been responsible for a series of criminal activities in the area, particularly the theft and disposal of motorcycles and other valuable items, which had caused fear and economic losses to residents.
“During the operation, six suspects were apprehended, including a suspected native doctor alleged to have been providing charms and other fetish preparations for members of the gang, as well as another suspect alleged to specialise in producing fake receipts used to facilitate the disposal and sale of suspected stolen motorcycles and other items,” the statement said.
The suspects arrested were identified as:
1. Peter Sabbath, male, 34 years, native of Ikot Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene LGA.
2. Joseph Udo, male, 25 years, native of Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono LGA.
3. Victor Igwe, male, 23 years, native of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village, alleged to specialise in the production of fake receipts used to facilitate the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles.
4. Boniface Essiet, male, 37 years, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono LGA, alleged to be the native doctor providing charms and other fetish materials to members of the gang.
5. Simeon Udo, male, 47 years, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono LGA.
6. Uko Akang, male, of Asanting Village, who was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle, registration number AUQ 73 VC.
Items recovered during the operation include two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops, one suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle with registration number AUQ 73 VC, local charms and other fetish items recovered from the shrine of the suspected native doctor, as well as other materials relevant to the ongoing investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and sustained commitment to intelligence-led policing.
The CP has directed that the investigation be intensified with a view to establishing the suspects’ individual roles, recovering additional stolen property and apprehending other members or collaborators of the criminal network who may still be at large.
CP Azare reiterated that the Command will continue to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to identify criminal elements, disrupt their operational networks and bring perpetrators to justice.
He assured residents of Ikono, Ini, Obot Akara and the entire state that the Command remains resolute in its determination to deny criminals safe havens and dismantle all criminal networks operating within Akwa Ibom.
The Command called on members of the public to continue to support the police with credible and timely information that will aid in crime prevention and detection, stressing that community partnership remains vital to sustaining peace and security in the state.
