as Police sustain crackdown on criminal activities, arrest suspects, recover firearms
By Emmanuel Ntekim
The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Information, Hon. Aniekan Umanah, has refuted claims by one Wisdom Umana, who was recently arrested in possession of a toy AK-47 rifle and allegedly identified himself as a vigilante operative attached to the commissioner on escort duties.
Reacting to the claim, the commissioner stated that he has no vigilante personnel attached to him in any capacity.
“I wish to state categorically that I have no vigilante personnel attached to me from any source whatsoever,” he said.
According to him, the only security personnel serving in his office are officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who were officially deployed by the State Command in the discharge of their lawful duties.
He called on the Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter in order to establish the true facts surrounding the suspect’s claims.
“I therefore call on members of the public to disregard the claim of the suspect as false and misleading in its entirety,” he added.
Meanwhile, in a statement made available to WatchmanPost and signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command confirmed that the circumstances surrounding the activities of Wisdom Umana and his possession of the imitation firearm were still under investigation.
The statement disclosed that the suspect was apprehended by an officer attached to Government House.
The Police Command also highlighted a series of successes recorded in its sustained operations against criminal elements across the state.
According to DSP Timfon John, the operations were in line with the directives of the Commissioner of Police on proactive policing, intelligence-led operations and sustained visibility patrols.
She stated that officers of the Command recorded significant successes through coordinated raids, stop-and-search operations and swift responses to distress calls across various divisions in the state.
In one of the operations conducted on June 22, 2026, at Urua Ekpa Street in Itu Local Government Area, a suspect fled upon sighting the police team, abandoning a red scarf used to conceal a locally fabricated pistol.
The Police spokesperson said the firearm had been recovered and secured, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
Similarly, operatives conducting a routine stop-and-search operation along the Aba–Ikot Ekpene Road on the same date intercepted an Opel motorcycle. During a search of the motorcycle, officers discovered a Dane gun concealed on the vehicle.
However, the rider abandoned the motorcycle and escaped, while investigations continue to identify and arrest the suspect.
In another operation, police operatives responded to a distress call and arrested two suspects identified as Uduak James and Matthew Udo for alleged theft of palm fruits.
A subsequent search conducted at the suspects’ premises led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, one live cartridge, an unregistered motorcycle and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.
The suspects are currently in police custody while investigations continue.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reiterated the Command’s commitment to combating crime and ensuring the safety of lives and property throughout Akwa Ibom State.
He warned criminal elements to desist from unlawful activities or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
The Command further assured residents that all suspects connected with the cases would be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted where necessary.
Members of the public were encouraged to continue supporting the Police with timely and credible information to aid ongoing efforts to keep Akwa Ibom State safe and secure.
