Police foil robbery attack in Uyo, arrest suspect

Operatives of Akwa Ibom State Police Command over the weekend foiled a robbery operation at Ikot Okubo village in Uyo Local Government Area, arrested one suspect and recovered locally fabricated firearm.

Spokesperson of the Command, DSP Timfon John, in a statement in Uyo on Monday said the intervention was made following a distress call from a concerned resident of the area.

“On Saturday, June 27, 2026, at about 10:30 p.m., operatives of the Command deployed on stop-and-search duty along Mayflower axis of Oron Road, Uyo, swiftly responded to a distress call from a concerned resident of Ikot Okubo Village, Uyo Local Government Area, reporting that suspected armed robbers were actively operating within the community.

“Acting promptly on the information, the police operatives mobilized to the scene where they collaborated with vigilant members of the community youth to cordon off and comb the affected area.

“The coordinated operation led to the arrest of one suspect identified as Edidiong Udoeyen, while a medium-sized locally fabricated firearm was recovered from his possession,” the police spokesperson said.

John stated that other members of the criminal gang fled the scene upon sighting the police, adding that the Command has immediately launched a manhunt to apprehend the fleeing suspects and ensure they are brought to justice.

She stated that the Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Baba Mohhammed Azare, while commending the courage, vigilance, and timely intervention of members of the community, pledged readiness to protect lives and property while ridding the state of all forms of crimes and criminality.