…see details of suspects arrested
By Ime Silas
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced the arrest of six suspected members of a notorious criminal gang linked to a wave of violent crimes across four local government areas, in what officials described as a major operational breakthrough.
According to a press statement released on Friday, September 11, 2026, and signed by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Timfon John, the arrests followed credible intelligence received on September 5, 2026, that the gang was moving from Ikono Local Government Area toward Ini LGA to carry out an operation.
“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 statement said.
Acting on the tip-off, the statement noted, operatives launched a coordinated pursuit that extended through Ini LGA toward the Akwa Ibom–Abia State boundary. Police said they intercepted three members of the gang, including the alleged ringleader, at a border community. One other suspect reportedly escaped during the encounter.
“The arrested suspects were subsequently taken to the station for detailed investigation and intelligence-led interrogation,” DSP John stated.
“Information obtained during the investigation further led to the identification and arrest of additional members of the criminal network, bringing the number of suspects arrested so far to six.”
Those in custody were identified as:
1. Gideon Udoh, 23, aka Holy Water Blood, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA;
2. Martins Udo, 36, of Mbiabong Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA;
3. Bassey Ukpong, 22, aka Ekpor, of Mbiabong Ukana Ikot Etefia Village, Ikono LGA;
4. Aniebiet Dominic, 25, aka Two Second, of Itak Ikot Akpan Ndem Village, Ikono LGA;
5. David Idaha, 32, aka Black, of Nung Ukim Village, Ikono LGA; and
6. Joseph Udo, 25, described as the gang’s alleged technical operative.
Police said preliminary investigation and intelligence obtained from the suspects have linked the group to a wide range of crimes allegedly committed in parts of Akwa Ibom and neighboring areas. The offenses include armed robbery, kidnapping, hostage-taking, abduction, car snatching, rape, cult-related activities, illicit drug dealing, extortion, demanding by menace, malicious damage and attempted murder.
Items recovered during the operation include two locally fabricated shotguns, two live cartridges, three expended cartridges, and six serviceable motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the officers for their work.
“The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commends the officers involved in the operation for their courage and professionalism,” the release noted.
CP Azare reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to ridding the state of violent crime through intelligence-driven operations.
“The Command reiterates that there will be no safe haven for armed robbers, kidnappers, cultists, extortionists and other criminal elements in Akwa Ibom State,” DSP John quoted the Commissioner as saying. “The Police will continue to deploy intelligence-led policing, tactical operations and inter-agency collaboration to identify, apprehend and bring criminal elements to justice.”
The Police also appealed to residents to support security efforts by providing timely information.
“The Command equally calls 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,” the statement added.
Authorities said investigation is ongoing and the suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion.
The latest arrests come amid heightened police patrols and community policing initiatives in Ikono, Ini, Obot Akara and Ikot Ekpene, areas that have in recent months reported cases of armed robbery and kidnapping. Security analysts say the recovery of firearms and motorcycles may disrupt the gang’s mobility and reduce attacks along the Akwa Ibom–Abia corridor.
