Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Police have arrested six suspected members and associates of an armed robbery syndicate accused of carrying out attacks and motorcycle thefts across Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara local government areas of Akwa Ibom State.
The suspects were apprehended during a coordinated intelligence-led operation carried out in the early hours of Wednesday at identified criminal hideouts within the affected communities.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle a criminal network linked to a series of armed robbery incidents and the theft of motorcycles in the state.
Among those arrested are Peter Sabbath, 34, from Ikot Inyang Village in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area; Joseph Udo, 25, from Nung Ukim Ikot Okorie Village in Ikono; and Victor Igwe, 23, of Mbiabong Ukan Ikot Etefia Village, who is alleged to specialise in producing fake receipts used in the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles.
Others include Boniface Essiet, 37, of Ikot Akpan Ntim Village in Ikono, who is alleged to have provided charms and fetish materials to members of the gang; Simeon Udo, 47, of Itak Ikot Akpandem Village in Ikono; and Uko Akang of Asanting Village.
Police said Uko Akang was arrested in possession of a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle bearing registration number AUQ 73 VC.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant breakthrough in its ongoing intelligence-led operations against armed robbery and other violent crimes with the arrest of six suspected members and associates of an armed robbery gang operating within Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the state,” the statement said.
Security operatives also recovered two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops, the suspected stolen motorcycle, local charms, fetish items recovered from a shrine and other materials considered relevant to the investigation.
“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,” the statement added.
Reacting to the arrests, Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare praised the operatives involved in the operation for their professionalism and commitment to combating crime.
He directed investigators to deepen the probe in order to determine the specific roles played by each suspect, recover additional stolen property and track down other members of the network still at large.
“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 command will continue to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to identify criminal elements, disrupt their operational networks and bring perpetrators to justice,” the CP said.
