Police Arrest 2 Over Alleged Possession Of Firearms In Akwa Ibom
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested two individuals in separate operations for alleged unlawful possession of firearms in Ibeno and Eket local government areas of the state.
Police Public Petitions Officer (PPRO) of the Command, DSP Timfon John, confirmed the incidents, revealing that the first arrest took place on February 22, 2025, at around 11 am.
The police spokesperson explained that the operation followed an intelligence tip-off from a law-abiding citizen, reporting that a 65-year-old, Nehemiah Sunday Udo, from Ekpene Obo village in Esit Eket Local Government Area, was in possession of a firearm. Udo was intercepted along Ibeno Beach Road and taken to the village head’s palace. A police patrol team was dispatched to the scene, and the suspect, along with the recovered items, was taken to the Divisional Headquarters for further investigation.
Recovered items from the suspect included a double-barrel long gun, a cartridge, a torchlight, and a traveler’s bag containing clothes. During questioning, the suspect claimed to be a member of the Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria (PHAN). The police assured that investigations are ongoing to determine his true identity and intentions.
In a separate case, DSP John recounted another arrest on February 21, 2025, at around 8:10 pm. Police operatives, conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along Ikot Udoma Road in Eket, apprehended Emmanuel Sylvanus Ekan, who was found in possession of a locally made pistol. Ekan was immediately taken into custody for further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Azare, condemned the illegal possession of firearms and reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance policy for criminal activities. He emphasized the police’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all residents and maintaining law and order. CP Azare also urged members of the public to report any suspicious individuals to the nearest police station.
