The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State has arrested seven suspected criminals and recovered a cache of arms and other items following a targeted raid on a hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, was confirmed in a statement issued in Uyo by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed that the arrests were made around 6:00 a.m. based on actionable intelligence provided by members of the public.
According to the police, the suspects were allegedly operating under the guise of religious worship, using a residential compound as a cover for their activities.
“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers. In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” the statement read.
The raid, the command noted, forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal elements in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to intensify the fight against crime nationwide.
Items recovered during the operation include two locally made double-barrel guns and five expended cartridges, suggesting possible prior use of firearms. The police also seized four motorcycles and three generators, which are believed to have been used in facilitating the suspects’ activities.
In addition, a range of other items were found at the location, including 10 mobile phones, a police crest, four pairs of jungle boots, one peak cap, a saw blade, a spanner, number plates, machetes, and a special forces vest. Authorities also reported the discovery of bottles containing substances suspected to be spiritual oil, alongside an enlarged photograph said to be linked to an ongoing investigation.
Police said preliminary findings indicate that the premises served as a front for organized criminal operations, raising concerns about the evolving tactics used by criminal groups to evade detection.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Baba Azare, has ordered a comprehensive investigation to unravel the full scope of the operation and to identify and apprehend the principal suspect believed to be behind the network.
The command reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of residents across the state, emphasizing that efforts are ongoing to dismantle criminal networks and prevent further threats.
It also called on members of the public to continue supporting law enforcement agencies with timely and credible information, noting that community cooperation remains critical in the fight against crime.
The latest development highlights both the persistent security challenges in parts of the country and the increasing reliance on intelligence-led policing to disrupt criminal activities before they escalate.
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