Police Arrest Six Suspected Robbers, Recover Stolen Items in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested six suspected members and associates of an alleged armed robbery gang operating across parts of the state. The suspects were apprehended during the early hours of September 17, 2026, in a coordinated clearance operation conducted by tactical police operatives at identified criminal hideouts in Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas. According to the command, the operation followed sustained intelligence gathering aimed at disrupting a criminal network allegedly involved in robbery, motorcycle theft and the disposal of suspected stolen property.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said six suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Peter Sabbath, 34; Joseph Udo, 25; Victor Igwe, 23; Boniface Essiet, 37; Simeon Udo, 47; and Uko Akang. Police alleged that one of those arrested was a native doctor suspected of providing charms and other preparations to members of the group, while another suspect was allegedly involved in producing fake receipts used in the disposal and sale of suspected stolen motorcycles and other items.

Police said several items were recovered during the operation, including two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops and a suspected stolen motorcycle. Authorities also reported recovering traditional items from a location they described as the shrine of the suspected native doctor. The command said other materials considered relevant to the investigation were also recovered and would form part of the ongoing effort to establish the activities and individual roles of those arrested.

Following the arrests, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Azare, directed investigators to intensify the case. The police said the investigation would focus on determining the individual roles of the suspects, recovering additional property allegedly stolen by the criminal network and identifying other members or collaborators who may still be at large. The command also said it would continue intelligence-led operations aimed at disrupting criminal networks and preventing them from establishing safe locations within the state.

The arrests and recoveries remain part of an ongoing police investigation, and the allegations against the suspects have not been established as convictions. The authorities are expected to gather further evidence before determining the next legal steps in the case. The Akwa Ibom Police Command has continued to encourage intelligence-led policing as part of its efforts to address robbery, theft and other criminal activities across the state.