The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest followed a distress call received by the command in the early hours of September 14, 2026, after a reported violent attack at Ikot Ekweng Village.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Uyo.
John said police operatives on patrol were directed by the Command Control Room to the community following the report of an attack at about 5am.
According to her, the officers met an Inspector, identified as Henry, who alleged that he had been attacked by a man identified as Ini Mfon while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle.
She said the attack left the police officer with an injury to his right hand.
The police spokesperson added that operatives subsequently traced the suspect to his residence, where he was arrested.
She said a search of the premises led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes allegedly found in the suspect’s possession.
John stated that detectives had commenced investigations to establish the source of the weapons, determine whether they had been used in other criminal operations and ascertain if the suspect had links with other criminal groups.
She said the suspect remained in police custody and was assisting investigators, while the recovered weapons had been secured as exhibits.
Commenting on the development, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers for their prompt response and professionalism.
Azare said the arrest underscored the command’s determination to tackle violent crime and the circulation of illegal firearms in the state.
He said, “We will continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols and other lawful security operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms and dismantling criminal networks across the state.”
The commissioner also assured residents that credible information supplied to the police would be treated confidentially, urging members of the public to report suspicious activities and the movement of illegal firearms.
He warned that the state would not provide a safe haven for people involved in armed robbery or unlawful possession of firearms.
