The Police Command in Akwa Ibom has arrested a suspected notorious criminal during a raid on a criminal hideout in Ikot Akpabong Village, Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said in a statement on Tuesday in Uyo that the operation followed credible intelligence received on Aug. 31 about the activities of a suspected criminal gang involved in arson, robbery and other crimes.
She said operatives conducted a coordinated operation at the gang’s suspected hideout and arrested a 29-year-old male suspect at about 4:50 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 3.
John said the operatives recovered one locally made short gun, one live cartridge and two machetes during the operation.
She added that the suspect was in police custody and assisting investigators with information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other gang members and their associates.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their prompt response and intelligence-driven approach to crime prevention.
Azare said the command would sustain operational pressure on criminal elements involved in robbery, arson, cultism, kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms and other violent crimes.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information on suspicious movements, criminal hideouts and activities capable of threatening public safety.
The commissioner assured the public that information provided to the police would be treated with confidentiality.
