Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have uncovered and dismantled an illegal gun-manufacturing workshop, arresting two suspects in Itam, Itu Local Government Area.
In a statement released on Tuesday by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, the suspects — 39-year-old Aniekan Aniedi and his 35-year-old accomplice, Ubong Udofia — were apprehended on Thursday, October 24, 2025, around 6:57 p.m.
DSP John explained that the operation was based on credible intelligence indicating that Aniedi was involved in producing illegal firearms, which he allegedly supplied to armed robbers and cult groups in the area.
The statement reads in part ”The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, in its relentless efforts to rid the State of crime, has successfully dismantled an illegal firearms fabrication factory and apprehended two suspects in a targeted intelligence-led operation in the state.
”Credible intelligence had earlier indicated that Aniekan Aniedi, a 39-year-old male resident of Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area, was actively engaged in the production of locally fabricated and illegal firearms, which were being supplied to armed robbers and cultists in the region.”
”Operatives of the Command stormed the factory on Thursday, October 24, 2025, at around 18:57 hours. The operation led to the arrest of the primary suspect, Aniekan Aniedi, and a second individual, Ubong Udofia, a 35-year-old male, believed to be an accomplice in the illegal enterprise.
”A comprehensive search of the illicit factory yielded a significant cache of weapons, tools, and materials used in the manufacturing process. The recovered items include: three fabricated, locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipes, two on rods, assorted copper wires, two flat metals designed for fabricating gun butts.”
The statement added that tools and machinery, central to the illegal production line, were also seized as evidence: They include one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver and one electric filing machine.
The police spokesperson said the investigation has been intensified by the command to unravel the suspects’ network, their clients and possible link of their operations, adding that the suspects will soon be charged in court
Meanwhile, the commissioner of police in the State, CP Baba Azare, while commending the operatives for their professionalism, urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities within the state
”The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammad Azare, commended the operatives for their swift and effective action. He stated that the operation is a significant blow to the illicit arms supply chain, fueling violence and criminality in our state.
”CP Azare urged members of the public to continue to provide timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities, assuring that all information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality,” the statement further stated.
