Baba Muhammed Azare
In a decisive show of force, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has delivered a comprehensive operational account of its fight against crime from May to mid-June 2025—culminating in the arrest of 54 suspects across a wide spectrum of offences, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, vandalism, piracy, and murder.
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At a press briefing held on Thursday, June 19, at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, CP Azare declared the command’s sustained operations a major success and reaffirmed its zero-tolerance approach to criminality. The month-long enforcement campaign highlighted strategic victories in intelligence-led policing, proactive tactical deployment, and growing collaboration with local communities.
Key Takeaways from the Police Briefing included unprecedented Haul of Firearms and Criminal Tools
The command recovered 50 firearms and ammunitions, including: 18 locally made pistols, 3 cut-to-size single-barrel guns, 2 cut-to-size double-barrel guns, Multiple live and empty cartridges and Offensive weapons like battle axes, knives, hammers, and charms
This points to a dangerous proliferation of weapons among cult groups and criminal gangs, which the police are aggressively working to neutralize.
A staggering 30 suspected cultists were arrested in over 10 separate raids, with groups such as the Supreme Vikings Confraternity (SVC), Kuklux Klan, Mafia, Debam, and the Black Axe all named. Some of the cult-linked suspects were involved in burglary, armed robbery, and even the killing of livestock during inter-cult rivalries. In one case, a cultist admitted to participating in the brutal beheading of three Marine Hunters in Mbo LGA in 2024.
The command foiled a kidnapping ring, arresting seven suspects from Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Ogun, and even Cameroon. A Lexus RX 300 SUV and five mobile phones were recovered. Meanwhile, three kidnap victims were rescued during a fierce gun battle at Atan Offot, with one hoodlum neutralized.
The Marine Police successfully repelled a piracy attack, recovered a W23 speedboat, firearms, and charms, and disrupted what officials described as an entrenched criminal base along the creeks.
Vandalism remains a major concern. Several suspects were caught stealing government-installed power infrastructure, school materials (including SUBEB educational tools), and even dismantling transformers. The police intercepted four heavy transformer coils during a checkpoint operation and arrested a known vandal of school facilities in Abak.
Numerous robbery syndicates were apprehended, including a gang operating along Ikot Okoro Road and another that robbed their motorcycle transporter along Etinan Road. One high-profile gang leader involved in phone snatching and street robbery in Uyo was also captured.
In a deeply troubling incident, a 25-year-old man was arrested for the murder of his 71-year-old mother in Oruk Anam. The suspect confessed, and the murder weapon—a machete—was recovered.
Commissioner Azare emphasized that Akwa Ibom will not be a safe space for criminals, warning that “we are watching, and we will strike decisively.” He credited the Command’s success to a combination of robust intelligence, community cooperation, and swift tactical response.
The Command also seized: 2 vehicles, 8 solar panels, Multiple stolen electronics and household items
Hundreds of thousands of naira worth of goods.
The CP urged continued public collaboration through information-sharing, adding that every piece of credible intelligence plays a role in the broader effort to secure the state.
From foiling sea piracy and kidnapping to dismantling cult strongholds and intercepting infrastructure theft, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has significantly shifted the security landscape in the past six weeks. While challenges persist, the tone and execution of recent operations send a clear message: the rule of law is firm and active.
As CP Azare concluded, “Akwa Ibom is no haven for criminals.” The public will now be watching closely to see how swiftly the cases progress to prosecution—and whether peace and deterrence can be sustained.