Akwa Ibom: Police burst robbery syndicate, recover arms, stolen items

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has revealed that its operatives have arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered dangerous weapons and stolen items in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area.

This is according to press statement issued by Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, on Monday.

The statement reads:

“On 20th March 2025, at about 23:30hrs, the Command received a distress call from the Control Room, reporting an ongoing armed robbery along Nung Udo Idem Ikot Okubo village. Acting swiftly, tactical teams were mobilized to the scene, where the hoodlums were trailed to a Hotel (name withheld).

“Following a well-coordinated operation, two suspects were apprehended:

1. Louis Joseph Thomas ‘m’, 23 years

2. Essien Friday Nelson ‘m’, 27 years

A thorough search led to the recovery of the following items:

Four (4) locally made pistols

Thirty-four (34) live cartridges

One (1) Moniepoint POS machine

Two (2) black face masks

Two (2) laptops

Three (3) Android phones

One (1) button phone

One (1) wristwatch

One (1) black long-sleeve Special Force polo

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the operatives for their swift response and assured the public that efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing gang members and recover more weapons.

“The Command remains steadfast in its commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and urges the public to continue providing timely and credible information that will aid in crime prevention.

“For any emergency or suspicious activities, the public is encouraged to contact the Police via the Command’s Emergency line: 08039213071.”

Meanwhile, the Anambra State Police Command has arrested two-armed robbery suspects who have been terrorizing parts of Awka, the state capital.

Police operatives from the Special Anti-Cult Unit in Enugwu Ukwu apprehended Chibuike Ozoekwem, a 22-year-old male, and Favour Patrick, a 19-year-old female, at an uncompleted building on Onwurah Street, Awka.

Confirming the arrests, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said the operatives recovered one pump-action gun, 16 expended cartridges, a battle axe, and two suspected stolen phones from the suspects.

He also stated that a victim had identified one of the recovered phones, explaining that she was robbed at a gunpoint by four armed men on March 13, 2025, along Club Road.

Catholic priest rescued

Still in Anambra, Diaspora Digital Media reported that a joint security team comprising the police, military, civil defence, and local vigilante groups successfully rescued Rev. Father Stephen Echezona in the early hours of Sunday, March 23, 2025.

The priest was found unharmed after being held hostage by armed criminals.

According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Anambra State Police Command, Rev. Father Echezona was abducted at a fuel station in Ichida by armed men driving a white Lexus SUV without a license plate.

A gunfight ensued between the assailants and the joint security forces, forcing the criminals to abandon the Lexus in an attempt to escape.

However, they took the priest hostage as they fled the scene.

Following a coordinated hot pursuit, security checkpoints and operatives across the state were alerted.

The pressure from the security forces led the kidnappers to abandon the priest at Ihiala before escaping into a nearby bush.

The security team recovered the abandoned Lexus SUV and took control of the scene in Ihiala.

Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and recover the Toyota Highlander belonging to Rev. Father Echezona.

“The situation is under control, and further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses,” SP Ikenga stated.

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