The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has arrested six suspected armed robbers operating in Ikono, Ini and Obot Akara Local Government Areas of the state.
The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Thursday during a coordinated clearance operation conducted by police operatives following sustained intelligence gathering.
Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the operation was aimed at dismantling a criminal network linked to the theft and disposal of motorcycles and other valuables.
She said those arrested included a suspected native doctor alleged to have been providing charms and other fetish preparations for members of the gang.
Another suspect, who allegedly specialised in producing fake receipts used to facilitate the sale of suspected stolen motorcycles and other items, was also arrested.
“During the operations, six suspects were apprehended, including a suspected native doctor alleged to have been providing charms and other fetish preparations for members of the gang.
“Another suspect alleged to specialise in producing fake receipts used to facilitate the disposal and sale of suspected stolen motorcycles and other items was among them,” she said.
Items recovered from the suspects included a suspected stolen red Qlink motorcycle with registration number AUQ 73 VC, two single-barrel shotguns, three laptops, charms and other fetish substances.
John said the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, CP Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their courage, professionalism and commitment to intelligence-led policing.
She said the commissioner directed that the investigation be intensified to establish the individual roles of the suspects, recover additional stolen property and apprehend other members or collaborators of the criminal network still at large.
John added that the command would continue to adopt proactive and intelligence-driven strategies to identify criminal elements, disrupt their networks and bring perpetrators to justice.
