The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a suspected armed robber and recovered two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
The arrest followed a distress alert received by police operatives in the early hours of September 14, 2026, the command said.
The command’s spokesperson, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Uyo.
John said operatives on vehicular patrol were directed by the Command Control Room to Ikot Ekweng Village at about 5am following a report of a violent attack.
According to her, the patrol team met an Inspector Henry, who alleged that a suspect identified as Ini Mfon had attacked him with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle.
The officer reportedly sustained an injury to his right hand during the attack.
John said police operatives subsequently traced the suspect to his residence, where he was arrested.
A search of the premises allegedly led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes.
The police said detectives were investigating the source of the weapons, whether they had been used in previous crimes and whether the suspect was connected to other criminal groups within or outside Ibiono Ibom.
The suspect remains in police custody and is assisting with the investigation, while the recovered weapons have been secured as exhibits, according to the command.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism.
Azare said the command would continue intelligence-led operations, targeted raids and aggressive patrols to recover illegal firearms and disrupt criminal networks across the state.
He urged residents to remain vigilant and provide the police with credible information on suspicious activities and the movement of illegal firearms.
