Six men suspected of belonging to a robbery syndicate operating in parts of Akwa Ibom State have been taken into police custody following a coordinated operation across three local government areas.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, targeted locations identified by the police as criminal hideouts in Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas.
The suspects were allegedly linked to a network involved in armed robbery and the theft and resale of motorcycles, according to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, announced the arrests in a statement released in Uyo on Thursday.
Those arrested were identified as Peter Sabbath, 34; Joseph Udo, 25; Victor Igwe, 23; Boniface Essiet, 37; Simeon Udo, 47; and Uko Akang.
Police said Sabbath is from Ikot Inyang Village in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, while Udo is from Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village, Ikono. Igwe, according to the command, is from Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village.
The command alleged that Igwe was responsible for preparing counterfeit receipts which were subsequently used in transactions involving motorcycles suspected to have been stolen.
Essiet, a resident of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village, Ikono, was also arrested. Police described him as a native doctor allegedly providing charms and other fetish preparations to members of the suspected gang.
The other suspects were identified as Simeon Udo of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village, Ikono, and Akang of Asanting Village.
Akang was reportedly apprehended with a red Qlink motorcycle with registration number AUQ 73 VC, which the police said was suspected to be stolen.
Items recovered during the operation included two single-barrel guns, three laptop computers and the motorcycle.
Police operatives also seized charms and other fetish materials from a shrine allegedly connected to Essiet, alongside other materials that the command said could assist investigators in the case.
The arrests followed what the police described as a sustained intelligence-gathering effort to identify and dismantle the criminal network believed to be responsible for a series of robbery incidents and motorcycle thefts in the area.
John said the operation represented another breakthrough in the command’s intelligence-led campaign against violent crime.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers involved and ordered investigators to expand the probe beyond those already in custody.
He directed the team to establish the alleged responsibilities of each suspect, trace and recover additional property believed to have been stolen, and pursue other members of the group who remain at large.
Azare said the command would not allow criminal groups to establish operational bases within the state.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains resolute in its determination to deny criminals safe havens and dismantle criminal networks operating within the state,” he said.
According to the commissioner, the command will continue to rely on intelligence-led operations to identify suspected criminals, disrupt their networks and ensure that those responsible for crimes are brought before the law.
