…..Recover Arms, Ammunition, and Cash in Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa
The Nigeria Police Force has recorded fresh breakthroughs in its ongoing fight against violent crimes, with coordinated operations in Akwa Ibom and Nasarawa States leading to the rescue of a kidnap victim, arrest of three suspects, and recovery of firearms, ammunition, and millions of naira in cash.
According to a press release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Akwa Ibom State, on August 16, 2025, operatives attached to Eket Division, working with officers from Ikot Udota Division and youths of Afia Nsit, responded swiftly to a distress call on Factory Road, Afia Nsit, Eket. Their prompt action led to the rescue of one Emerson and the arrest of two suspects identified as Okon Edem Okon and Emmanuel Bassey.
A search of an uncompleted building in a nearby bush uncovered a cache of arms, including one AK-47 rifle, one assault rifle, 67 rounds of ammunition, one pump-action shotgun with six live cartridges, six magazines, and a mobile phone. Manhunt efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects.
Similarly, in Nasarawa State, on August 18, 2025, operatives of Garaku Division recovered a G3 rifle following a lone motor crash involving an Opel Vectra vehicle at Angwan Mayo community. The two occupants of the vehicle fled the scene, abandoning the car. A subsequent search revealed additional arms and ammunition, including one AK-47 rifle, one Type 06 rifle, one G3 rifle, three magazines, 57 live rounds, and a total of ₦6,908,150.
Following a manhunt in collaboration with the military, one suspect, Mohammed Tahir of Barkin Ladi, Plateau State, was arrested. He confessed to belonging to a seven-man kidnap gang responsible for the abduction of a lawyer in Nyanya, Abuja, from whom ransom had been collected.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, commended the swift response of the operatives, the cooperation of community members, and the vigilance of citizens whose timely information proved critical. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Police Force to ensuring that criminal elements find no safe haven across the country.
The suspects will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.
