Akwa Ibom: Police nab 178 suspects, recover 69 firearms in May

It added that 69 firearms were recovered from the suspects during the month under review.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare Mohammed, who disclosed this during a press conference at the police headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, on Monday, said the command also rescued kidnapped and human trafficking victims.

Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has apprehended 178 suspects for various crimes, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, and illegal possession of firearms, among others, in the month of May.

It added that 69 firearms were recovered from the suspects during the month under review.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare Mohammed, who disclosed this during a press conference at the police headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, on Monday, said the command also rescued kidnapped and human trafficking victims.

He disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs recorded within the period was the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin and four accomplices at Okobo Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The CP said that operatives of the command, during the operation at Okobo Ebughu, recovered 23 large bags containing dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and outboard boat engines.

Azare said the feat was achieved through intelligence-led policing, coordinated raids, strategic surveillance operations, stop-and-search exercises, and tactical interventions across identified black spots.

He warned all criminal elements operating within the state that there would be no hiding place for criminals involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and other violent crimes.

The statement read in part: “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs in its sustained and aggressive crackdown on criminal elements across the state, leading to the recovery of sixty-nine (69) firearms, arrest of one hundred and seventy-eight (178) suspects involved in various crimes, rescue of kidnapped and human trafficking victims, as well as the disruption of several criminal networks operating within the state.

“The Command will continue to intensify intelligence gathering, tactical operations, patrol activities, and community policing initiatives to ensure sustained peace, safety, and protection of lives and property across Akwa Ibom State.”

The commissioner, therefore, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order across all communities in the state.He disclosed that one of the major breakthroughs recorded within the period was the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin and four accomplices at Okobo Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area of the state.

The CP said that operatives of the command, during the operation at Okobo Ebughu, recovered 23 large bags containing dried weeds suspected to be Indian hemp and outboard boat engines.

Azare said the feat was achieved through intelligence-led policing, coordinated raids, strategic surveillance operations, stop-and-search exercises, and tactical interventions across identified black spots.

He warned all criminal elements operating within the state that there would be no hiding place for criminals involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and other violent crimes.

The statement read in part: “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded major operational breakthroughs in its sustained and aggressive crackdown on criminal elements across the state, leading to the recovery of sixty-nine (69) firearms, arrest of one hundred and seventy-eight (178) suspects involved in various crimes, rescue of kidnapped and human trafficking victims, as well as the disruption of several criminal networks operating within the state.

“The Command will continue to intensify intelligence gathering, tactical operations, patrol activities, and community policing initiatives to ensure sustained peace, safety, and protection of lives and property across Akwa Ibom State.”

The commissioner, therefore, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining law and order across all communities in the state.