The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested two suspected shop burglars and two additional individuals accused of receiving stolen goods, recovering a firearm and other items during separate operations carried out on the same day.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Saturday in Uyo by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John.
According to the statement, the burglary suspects were apprehended on March 17, 2026, during a targeted raid around Aka Road and nearby areas in Uyo. A follow-up operation led to the arrest of two other suspects found with two stolen generator sets.
The suspects, Idiongho Johnny, 29, and Ofonime Jimmy, 30, both residents of Uyo, reportedly admitted their involvement in the crime.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another operational success in its sustained efforts to combat burglary and related crimes across the state.
“On March 17, 2026, at about 0330hrs, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the command conducted a targeted operation around Aka Road and its environs in Uyo. During the operation, two suspected shop burglars were arrested.
“The suspects are: Idiongho Johnny, male, 29 years; Ofonime Jimmy, male, 30 years. Both suspects are residents of Uyo.
“Items recovered from the suspects include one locally made pistol, one live cartridge, multiple bunches of keys suspected to be master keys, one iron cutter, and one mobile phone.
“During interrogation, the suspects confessed to their involvement in shop burglary activities within the area.
“In a swift follow-up operation aimed at expanding the investigation and dismantling the criminal network, two suspected receivers of stolen items were also arrested. They are: Innocent Nnaukwu, male, 39 years and Ali Ibrahim, male, 24 years.
“Recovered from the receivers were two generators, one welding coil, and one car battery suspected to have been stolen.”
The statement further noted that the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, praised the officers for their professionalism and reassured residents that efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the syndicate and recover additional stolen items.