A robbery syndicate operating within three local government areas in Akwa Ibom State has been smashed by the State Police Command.
Accordingly, six suspects have been arrested from the armed robbery syndicate, who are now cooling their heels in the custody of the police.
The State Police Command, through a press release issued by DSP Timfon John, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), on Thursday, September 17, 2026, said the suspects and their associates belong to an armed robbery gang operating within the Ikono, Ini, and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the State.
DSP John said the arrests were made in the early hours of today during a coordinated clearance operation conducted by police operatives in identified criminal hideouts within the three local government areas.
She said the operation, which was led by the officer in-charge of the tactical team, followed sustained intelligence gathering and operational efforts aimed at dismantling the remaining members and associates of the criminal network responsible for a series of criminal activities, particularly the theft and disposal of motorcycles and other valuable items.
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“During the operation, six suspects were apprehended, including a suspected native doctor alleged to have been providing charms and other fetish preparations for members of the gang, as well as another suspect alleged to specialise in producing fake receipts used to facilitate the disposal and sale of suspected stolen motorcycles and other items,” she added.
The suspects are Peter Sabbath, male, 34 years, native of Ikot Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene LGA; Joseph Udo, male, 25 years, native of Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono LGA; and Victor Igwe, male, 23 years, native of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village, alleged to specialise in the production of fake receipts used to facilitate the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles.
Others are Boniface Essiet, male, 37 years, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono LGA, alleged to be the native doctor providing charms and other fetish materials to members of the gang; Simeon Udo, male, 47 years, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono LGA; and Uko Akang, male, of Asanting Village, who was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle, registration number AUQ 73 VC.
Items recovered were two single-barrel shortguns; three laptops; one suspected stolen motorcycle; local charms and other fetish items recovered from the shrine of the suspected native doctor; and other materials relevant to the ongoing investigation.
In the statement, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and sustained commitment to intelligence-led policing.
The Commissioner directed that investigation be intensified with a view to establishing the suspects’ individual roles, recovering additional stolen property and apprehending other members or collaborators of the criminal network who may still be at large.
He further reiterated that the Command will continue to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to identify criminal elements, disrupt their operational networks and bring perpetrators to justice.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to deny criminals safe havens and dismantle criminal networks operating within the State,” the PPRO added.
