The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested six suspected members and associates of an alleged armed robbery gang operating across Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the state.
The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday during a coordinated clearance operation conducted by the command’s tactical team at locations identified as criminal hideouts, according to the police.
The operation followed sustained intelligence gathering aimed at dismantling a criminal network allegedly responsible for a series of armed robberies and motorcycle thefts in the affected areas.
In a statement issued in Uyo on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, identified the suspects as Peter Sabbath, 34; Joseph Udo, 25; Victor Igwe, 23; Boniface Essiet, 37; Simeon Udo, 47; and Uko Akang.
The police alleged that Igwe was involved in producing fake receipts used to facilitate the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles, while Essiet was described as a suspected native doctor who allegedly provided charms and other fetish materials to members of the gang.
Akang, according to the police, was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle with registration number AUQ 73 VC.
The command said the operation also led to the recovery of two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops, a suspected stolen motorcycle, local charms and other fetish items allegedly recovered from the shrine of the suspected native doctor.
Other materials considered relevant to the ongoing investigation were also recovered, the police said.
The arrests formed part of what the command described as an intelligence-led effort to identify and dismantle criminal networks operating in the state.
Police authorities said the operation was targeted at members of an alleged network suspected of involvement in armed robbery and motorcycle theft, while investigations are expected to establish the individual roles of those arrested.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the tactical team for what he described as its courage and professionalism during the operation.
Azare directed investigators to intensify their work to determine the roles allegedly played by each suspect, recover additional stolen property and apprehend other members of the suspected gang who may still be at large.
The commissioner also reiterated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and efforts to prevent criminal groups from establishing safe havens within the state.
The police statement did not indicate whether the suspects had been formally charged in court as of Thursday. The allegations against them therefore remain subject to investigation and due legal process.
The command is expected to continue investigating the suspects and examining the items recovered during the operation to determine their connection to reported robbery and motorcycle theft cases in Akwa Ibom.
The development comes as security agencies across the country continue to rely on intelligence gathering and targeted operations to disrupt organised criminal networks and recover weapons and suspected stolen property.
Police authorities have also continued to encourage members of the public to provide information that could assist investigations and the identification of suspected criminal activities.
Further details are expected as the Akwa Ibom State Police Command progresses with its investigation into the alleged activities of the group.
