Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have uncovered a criminal hideout operating under the guise of a church.
The facility, named ‘All Power Belongs to Me, Solomon of our Generation’, is situated in Ndiya Mfia village within Ikono Local Government Area of the state.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday.
Seven suspects were apprehended during the operation, while firearms and several other items were recovered.
Those arrested were identified as Preacher Brian Ebeka, Kenneth Ezekiel, Dickson Ndueso, Abang Rowland, Esther Elijah Okon, and Joy Elijah Okon.
Items seized include two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles, three large generators, 10 mobile phones, and a police crest.
Other exhibits recovered comprised four pairs of jungle boots, a peak cap, a saw blade, a spanner, multiple vehicle number plates, five machetes, a special forces vest, bottles of suspected spiritual oil, and an enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation.
“Acting on credible intelligence indicating that suspected criminals were hibernating in a compound disguised as a church, the Command swiftly mobilised for a targeted operation. At about 0600 hrs on 8th April 2026,” the statement read in part.
“Preliminary investigation suggests that the location was being used as a cover for criminal operations, raising serious concerns about the misuse of religious fronts for unlawful activities.
“The Command wishes to issue a stern warning to all criminal elements in the State: there will be no hiding place.
“Any attempt to disguise criminal activities under any cover, religious or otherwise, will be met with the full weight of the law.”