The Akwa Ibom State Command of the Nigeria Police Force has disbanded two gangs of armed robbers and vandals operating in the state through intelligence-based operations.
Command Spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, announced this over the weekend in Uyo, stating that the operations were part of the crime reduction strategy of the commissioner of police, CP Baba Azare.
Four suspects were apprehended, while arms, stolen items, and other incriminating materials were seized, she added.
About 9:30 p.m. on August 18, agents raided the home of 23-year-old God’stime Emmanuel James in Abak LGA. Wanted for destroying schools and private homes, James was arrested, as his accomplices ran away into a nearby creek. The following items were recovered: dried leaves believed to be cannabis, dismantled door locks, door handles, and a mini flashlight.
In a separate operation, police apprehended a three-man robbery gang armed with guns that had been terrorizing Uyo with a string of dawn robberies. The gang had robbed a female resident of an iPhone 12 Pro valued at ₦650,000, and investigations further revealed at least five other victims.
Among the suspects, one 27-year-old Ubong Michael Patrick was nabbed and took operatives to two of his collaborators: a 20-year-old Ibrahim Kanu from Adamawa and a 25-year-old Nazipi Dahiru from Gombe. Items seized from them included their operational bike, a locally-made pistol, and a dagger.
Early investigations revealed that stolen mobile phones were being sold by the gang to unsuspecting people in Kano. DSP John pledged that efforts are being made to retrieve the stolen goods while also appealing to citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity.
