Police Nab Suspected Armed Robber in Akwa Ibom

• Suspected robber arrested after alleged attack on police inspector in Ibiono Ibom.

• Police recover two locally made pistols, two machetes from suspect’s residence.

• Suspect allegedly attacked officer while attempting to snatch his tricycle.

• Police probe possible links to other robbery operations.

September 21, () – The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber, Ini Mfon, and recovered two locally made pistols and two machetes.

He was arrested from his residence in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.

The arrest followed a distress alert received by the command in the early hours of September 14, 2026, after a violent attack was reported at Ikot Ekweng Village in the area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, operatives of the command were on vehicular patrol at about 5:00am when they received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to the community.

The patrol team immediately moved to the scene, where they met an Inspector of Police identified as Henry, who reported that he had allegedly been attacked by Mfon.

The suspect was alleged to have attacked the officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle, resulting in an injury to the officer’s right hand.

Following the report, the operatives launched a follow-up operation which led them to the suspect’s residence, where he was arrested.

A search of the premises subsequently led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes allegedly found in his possession.

The police command said the recovery of the weapons had opened further lines of investigation, including efforts to establish their source and determine whether they had been used in previous criminal operations.

Detectives are also investigating whether the suspect has links with other criminal elements or syndicates operating within or outside Ibiono Ibom.

The suspect,  Mfon, reportedly confessed to the offence but attributed his actions to Satan, saying he was influenced by the devil to commit the crime.

The suspect is currently in Police custody and assisting investigators, while the recovered firearms and machetes have been secured as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, FSI, commended the operatives for their prompt response, courage and professionalism in arresting the suspect and recovering the weapons.

Azare said the development demonstrated the Command’s determination to take the fight against violent crime directly to criminal elements across the state.

He warned persons involved in armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and other violent crimes that Akwa Ibom would not provide a haven for criminal elements.

The commissioner said the command would continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols and other lawful security operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms and dismantling criminal networks.

He also urged members of the public to promptly report suspicious persons, criminal hideouts and the possession, movement or circulation of illegal firearms in their communities.

The command assured residents that credible information supplied to the Police would be treated with utmost confidentiality.

Investigation is ongoing, with the Police saying the suspect would be charged in court upon conclusion of the investigation.