Police Nab Cult Leader, Recover Arms After Attack On Inspector

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected cult leader identified as one Ini Mfon.

They recovered two locally made pistols after an alleged attack on a police inspector In Ikot Enweng village in Ibiono Ibom local government area of the state.

This was made knnown to journalists yesterday at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, the state capital, by the police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John.

She said the arrest of the suspect followed quick response to intelligence volunteered by residents in the ongoing crackdown on criminal elements to mop-up small arms and light weapons.

John said, ‘The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against violent crime and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the state, following the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of two locally-made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom LGA.

“The arrest followed a swift response by Police operatives to a distress alert in the early morning hours at about 0500 hours,” explaining that “operatives of the Command, while on vehicular patrol, received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to Ikot Ekweng village, Ibiono Ibom LGA, following a reported violent attack.”

Acting on the information, DSP John, added that the patrol team immediately proceeded to the scene, where they met Inspector Henry, who reported that he had allegedly been attacked by the armed hoodlum.

Preliminary information, she stated, revealed that the suspect allegedly attacked the officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle, adding that during the attack, the officer sustained an injury to his right hand.

“Following the report, the operatives immediately launched a follow-up operation and successfully traced the suspect to his residence, where he was arrested.

“Subsequent search of the premises led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes, allegedly found in his possession.

“The recovery of the firearms and other dangerous weapons has opened further lines of investigation, as detectives are working to determine the source of the weapons, establish whether they had been used in previous criminal operations, as well as ascertain whether the suspect is connected to other criminal elements or syndicates operating within or outside Ibiono Ibom,” she explained.

However, the suspect, John stated, had been taken into the Police custody, and was currently assisting investigators, while the recovered weapons have been secured as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, she added, has commended the operatives for their prompt response, courage and professionalism, describing the arrest and recovery as another indication of the Command’s determination to take the battle against violent crime directly to criminal elements.

“The CP warned that the Command would continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols and other lawful security operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms and dismantling criminal networks across the State.

“He further cautioned persons involved in armed robbery, unlawful possession of firearms and other violent crimes that Akwa Ibom State would not provide a safe haven for criminal elements.

“The CP also urged members of the public to continue partnering with the Police by promptly reporting suspicious persons, criminal hideouts and the possession, movement or circulation of illegal firearms within their communities,” DSP John stressed.