The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another operational successes in its effort to protect lives and property, safeguard critical infrastructures, combat violent crimes and maintain peace across the State.
The Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, speaking with newsmen during the weekend, announced the arrest of suspected hoodlums and recovery of vandalized transformer components in Mkpat Enin LGA.
CP Azare said that “At about 03:11hrs on the 1st of October 2026, the Police received a distressed call from a concerned individual, reporting that a group of suspected criminals have vandalized the community transformer and carted away several components using a tricycle, before transferring the stolen items to a red minibus.”
“Acting swiftly on the information, operatives of the Command mobilized the reported exit routes via Etinan; and at about 03:50hrs, the operatives sighted a red minibus with the Registration number: ABI 986 SSM and commenced operation. When the officers closed in on the vehicle, the suspects reportedly opened fire on the Police.
“The officers responded appropriately, causing the suspects to abandon the vehicle and escape into the surrounding bush. The Police immediately activated a coordinated search operations with the assistance of members of the community who were mobilized by the village authorities.
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Following a thorough combing of the area, two of the fleeing suspects, Chinedu, 31 years from Ebonyi state, and Enable Jonah of Otoro Abak in Abak LGA, were arrested at about 05:15hrs. Items recovered during the operations included: one live cartridge, one bag containing assorted electrical tools, one live steel cutter, Mobile Phones, 3 live transformer, red minibus.”
The CP also stated that the Police also halted the abduction of fishermen by suspected sea pirates in Ibeno Local Government Area and the fishermen were rescued, while the suspected sea pirates abandoned their tools and escaped into a nearby creek.
According to the Police boss, items recovered from the sea pirates included: outboard engines, gas cylinders, phones , Sim cards, torch lights, power bank, etc.
The Akwa Ibom Police helmsman assured that the Police in the State are not passive observers of criminal activities, but are actively gathering intelligence, responding to distressed calls and pursuing criminal elements wherever and whenever they operate.
CP Azare encouraged citizens to always provide useful information to the Police and other security agencies through useful channels, for timely intervention.
