Police Nab Armed Robbery Suspect, Recover Arms, Stolen Motorcycle

In the ongoing anti-crime offensive to rid Akwa Ibom State of small arms and light weapons, police operatives have arrested a suspected criminal kingpin, Aniefiok Otong Mbana.

They recovered a motorcycle and firearms, during intelligence-led raid of his hideout at Ikot Ukam village in Obot Akara local government area.

At the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, said the success of the operation followed a swift reaction to credible intelligence volunteered by some concerned residents.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected criminal and recovered firearms during an operation in Obot Akara LGA, as part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks across the State.

“The arrest followed actionable intelligence received by operatives of the Command on May 11, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., indicating that one Aniefiok Otong Mbana, of Ikot Ukam village, Obot Akara LGA, was allegedly in possession of a suspicious motorcycle believed to have been stolen,” she recalled.

DSP John, added that”detectives were immediately deployed to the area, where the suspect was tactically apprehended with the motorcycle.”

According to her, the suspect could not provide a satisfactory explanation regarding ownership of the motorcycle during interrogation and allegedly linked it to an individual identified simply as “Mr. White,” who is currently at large.

“Subsequent search conducted at the suspect’s residence led to the recovery of one locally – made pistol, one Dane gun, four empty cartridges, and one live cartridge,” she revealed.

“The recoveries have further strengthened suspicions of the suspect’s involvement in criminal activities and exposed the dangerous nature of the group,” she added, assuring an intense manhunt has been launched for the fleeing accomplices and other suspected members of the criminal network.

DSP John, quoted her boss, CP Baba Azare, as having warned criminals, cultists, armed robbers, gun runners, and receivers of stolen properties to desist from unlawful activities or face a total crackdown.

She stressed that the CP has vowed that Akwa Ibom would no longer serve as a safe haven for criminal elements, adding that the Command had intensified intelligence-driven policing, surveillance operations, raids, stop-and-search duties, and tactical deployments across the state.

The CP, therefore, cautioned that individuals found aiding or harbouring criminals would be treated as accomplices and prosecuted in accordance with the law, and assured

residents of greater commitment to protecting lives and property, urging that members of the public should continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies.