The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a major operational breakthrough in its sustained war against cultism, armed robbery, cyber-enabled fraud, impersonation, vandalism, and other criminal activities threatening public peace and development within the State.
DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), announced this in a press release made available to media houses in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, on Saturday, May 23, 2026.
According to DSP John, operatives of the Command, in a series of intelligence-driven operations conducted across different parts of the State, successfully arrested multiple suspects involved in criminal conspiracy, cyber fraud, impersonation, theft of government property, cult-related activities, and unlawful possession of firearms.
She said the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has reaffirmed the Command’s unwavering resolve to rid the State of all forms of criminality and ensure that Akwa Ibom remains hostile and unbearable for criminals.
On the arrest of suspects over the theft of school renovation materials, the PPRO said on May 21, 2026, at about 11:50 hours, the Chief Security Officer of a Federal Government College (name withheld) reported that some renovation materials belonging to the school had been stolen from the premises.
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The stolen items, mainly burglary proofs meant for the ongoing renovation of hostel blocks within the institution, were carefully removed from where they had been secured for the Federal Government-backed project.
DSP John said upon receipt of the report, operatives of the Command immediately commenced a discreet investigation which led to the arrest of the following four suspects.
They are David Ukpe ‘M’, 36 years, a security guard attached to the school; Emmanuel Johnny ‘M’, 49 years; Murtala Muhammad ‘M’, 24 years; and Sani Abubakar ‘M’, 41 years.
The arrest of the suspects led to the recovery of stolen burglary tools removed from the school renovation site.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects conspired to steal and illegally sell the renovation materials for personal gain.
The suspects reportedly confessed to the crime and are currently assisting investigators with useful information aimed at arresting other collaborators and recovering additional stolen items.
The Commissioner of Police described the act as a direct sabotage of government developmental efforts and a gross betrayal of public trust, especially by persons entrusted with the responsibility of safeguarding public property.
The Command also arrested a suspected notorious fraudster who allegedly specialised in impersonating the Honourable Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State, Hon. Emem Bob, to defraud unsuspecting members of the public.
The suspect, identified as Imeobong Akpan ‘M’ of Ikot Ekpene Udo Village, Nsit Ubium LGA, was arrested following a credible complaint lodged on May 22, 2026, at about 2230hrs.
that an unknown individual had been fraudulently using the name, official identity, and photographs of the Honourable Commissioner on fake social media platforms to deceive members of the public.
“Acting swiftly on the intelligence, detectives were swiftly deployed to Ewet Housing axis, where the suspect was successfully apprehended.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly created fake WhatsApp and Facebook accounts bearing the identity of the Commissioner for Finance and used the same to deceive unsuspecting job seekers, particularly young women desperate for employment opportunities,” she added.
It was learned that during interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to impersonating the Commissioner for Finance. He also confessed to fraudulently posing as the Personal Assistant to the Commissioner, luring over 10 ladies to hotels under false promises of securing government jobs, as well as obtaining money and exploiting victims through deceitful means.
The exhibits recovered are one mobile phone and other electronic devices, currently undergoing forensic analysis.
She said that investigations are ongoing to uncover additional accomplices, identify more victims, and determine the full extent of the criminal network.
The Command warns members of the public to remain vigilant against fraudsters who exploit the identities of public officials to perpetrate criminal acts and advises citizens to verify suspicious online claims before engaging in any financial or personal dealings.
On the arrest of suspected cultists and armed robbers in Ikot Ekpene, the PPRO said in a separate intelligence-led operation aimed at combating cultism and violent crimes, operatives of the Command on May 22, 2026, at about 21:00 hours, intercepted and arrested two suspected cultists and armed robbery suspects while moving under suspicious circumstances on a QLINK motorcycle within Ikot Ekpene LGA.
The suspects arrested are Iniobong Albert ‘M’, 24 years, of Ibiakpan Ikot Edim Village in Ibiono LGA, who is an HND 1 Civil Engineering student of Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua and Daniel Akpan ‘M’ of Ebo Itubunuso in Ini LGA, currently residing at Abiakpo Ntak Inyang Village in Ikot Ekpene LGA.
The exhibits recovered from the suspects are one locally made shotgun, two live cartridges, one suspected protective charm, one Android phone, one green cross bag and one QLINK motorcycle.
According to the PPRO, during interrogation, the principal suspect, Iniobong Albert, reportedly confessed to being a member of the proscribed cult group known as Ku Klux Klan (KKK) Confraternity and admitted that the suspects were on an unlawful mission before their arrest.
The suspect also volunteered useful information currently aiding ongoing operations targeted at arresting fleeing gang members and recovering additional arms and dangerous weapons.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for cultism, armed robbery, cybercrime, vandalism, impersonation, and all forms of violent criminality within the State.
He warned criminals, cultists, economic saboteurs, vandals, fraudsters, and other lawless elements to either repent immediately or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
“Akwa Ibom State will not be a safe haven for criminals. The Command has strengthened intelligence gathering, surveillance operations, and strategic policing across all divisions to ensure that criminal elements are identified, tracked, and brought to justice.
“Anyone involved in cultism, cyber fraud, vandalism of public infrastructure, armed robbery, impersonation, or any form of criminal conspiracy will be decisively dealt with in accordance with the law,” she added.
