Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested two persons alleged to be involved in a gun-running syndicate operation in the state.
The police said the alleged suspects supplied small arms and light weapons to armed robbers and cultists.
Disclosing this to journalists on Tuesday at the state headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, the state capital, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP TImfon John, said an intelligence-led operation, which led to the suspects’ arrest, was carried out around the Itam axis of Itu local government area.
“The Akwa Ibom Police Command in its relentless efforts to rid the state of crime, has successfully dismantled an illegal firearms fabrication factory and apprehended two suspects in a targeted intelligence-led operation.
“Credible intelligence had earlier indicated that Aniekan Aniedi, a 39-year-old resident of Itam village in Itu LGA was actively engaged in the production of locally fabricated and illegal firearms, which were being supplied to armed robbers and cultists in the region.
“Operatives of the Command stormed the factory on Thursday, October 24, 2025, at around 18:57 hours.
The operation led to the arrest of the prime suspects, Aniekan Aniedi, and a second individual, Ubong Udofia, a 35-year-old, believed to be an accomplice in the illegal enterprise,” she recalled.
John further disclosed that a comprehensive search of the illicit factory, revealed a significant cache of weapons, tools, and materials used in the manufacturing process.
She listed incriminating items recovered to include three fabricated locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipes, two iron rods, assorted copper wires, two flat metals designed for fabricating gun butts, one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver and one electric filing machine.
“Intensive investigations are currently ongoing to uncover the full extent of the suspects’ network, identify their clients, and get possible links of their operations to other criminal activities,” the PPRO stated, adding that “the suspects will be charged to Court upon the conclusion of the investigations.”
“The Commissioner of Police (CP), Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their swift and effective action.He expressed joy that the operation was a significant blow to the illicit arms supply chain fueling violence and criminality in our state.
“The CP is also urging members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities, assuring that all information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” John stated.
