Police Nab Suspected Armed Robber, Recover Locally Made Gun In Uyo

June 29 () — Operatives of the Akwa Ibom Police Command have arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered a locally fabricated firearm during a coordinated operation in Uyo.

The suspect, identified as Edidiong Udoeyen, was apprehended on Saturday night following a distress call reporting an ongoing robbery operation at Ikot Okubo Village in Uyo Local Government Area.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, officers deployed on stop-and-search duty along the Mayflower axis of Oron Road responded swiftly to the alert at about 10:30 p.m.

The police, working alongside vigilant youths in the community, cordoned off the area and launched a search operation that led to the arrest of the suspect. A medium-sized locally fabricated firearm was recovered from him.

The Command said other members of the suspected robbery gang escaped on sighting the police, adding that a manhunt has been launched to apprehend the fleeing suspects.

The arrested suspect is currently in police custody and will undergo further investigation to determine his level of involvement in the alleged criminal activities and to help uncover other members of the criminal network.

Commending residents of Ikot Okubo Village for their vigilance and timely information, the Commissioner of Police said the success of the operation underscored the importance of collaboration between the police and members of the public in tackling crime.

He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-driven and proactive policing aimed at protecting lives and property across the state.

The Commissioner also urged residents to continue providing credible and timely information to security agencies, assuring them that all information received would be treated with strict confidentiality.

The statement stressed that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains committed to sustaining its crackdown on criminal elements and ensuring a safe and secure environment for residents.