…as CP Baba emphasizes synergy by security agencies
By Ime Silas
Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has debunked what it described as “misleading publications” which claimed that armed men raided Students’ lodge in Ikot Ekpene, abducting fifteen students and carting away their belongings.
“The attention of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has been drawn to misleading publications in the media that armed men raided students lodge, abducted 15 students and carted away valuable properties in Ikot Ekpene”, the police noted in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Timfon John.
The Command, while refuting the reports, revealed that it was actually a lawful operation by the operatives of the Uyo Zonal office of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The statement continued “The Command wishes to categorically state that the incident was not an abduction by unknown gunmen and no student was abducted from the lodge
“It is imperative to set the record straight and reassure the general public that the operation in question was a lawfully conducted exercise by operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Zonal Office. For clarity, the command on October 24, 2025, at about 0430hrs, received a distress call alleging an armed robbery operation at Ikot Uboh Village, Ikot Ekpene. In a swift response, our teams were mobilized and deployed tactically to the scene, cordoning off the area to engage the supposed threat”.
The police explained that their men had responded to a distress call and upon arriving at the scene, discovered that it was a sanctioned operation by operatives of the EFCC.
“Upon arrival at the scene and subsequent professional challenge by our officers, it was established that the operatives at the location were from the EFCC, conducting a sanctioned operation. Some persons were arrested by the EFCC during this operation and not abducted as claimed by the media reports”.
Acknowledging the role of the media in the society, the Command however cautioned that journalists should always confirm such information from the police before publishing.
The statement further quoted a call by the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare to sister security agencies for synergy in order to forestall any mixup.
“While we acknowledge the vital role of the press in society, we urge journalists and media houses to cross-check facts with the Police Command before publishing stories of this nature as inaccurate reporting is capable of causing unnecessary panic.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammad Azare fsi has commended the officers involved for their professional conduct and restraint which averted a potential ugly incident.
“CP Azare also urges all law enforcement agencies to always notify and synergize with the Police as the lead security agency in the state when carrying out operations within our Area of Responsibility (AOR) to prevent such mix ups.
Our doors are always open to journalists and members of the public who seek to verify any security-related information.
The Command remains resolute in its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and visitors in Akwa Ibom State”.
