The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old man, Ifiok Owoidem, over his alleged involvement in armed robbery attacks targeting residents of Ifa Atai and neighbouring communities in Uyo.
The arrest was disclosed in a statement issued by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who said the suspect was apprehended at a hotel following intelligence reports about the activities of suspected armed robbers terrorising the area.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) on October 19, 2026, at about 7pm, after they received credible information about the suspects’ alleged criminal activities.
The police said the operatives swiftly moved to the identified hotel in Ifa Atai, where the suspects were reportedly hiding and smoking substances suspected to be hard drugs.
The operation led to the arrest of Owoidem, an indigene of Okon Ikot Essien Village in Essien Udim Local Government Area of the state.
Items recovered during the operation included two locally made pistols, one expended cartridge, two machetes and bottles containing substances suspected to be charms.
The command disclosed that another suspect escaped arrest and was currently being pursued by operatives.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating crime through intelligence-led operations, proactive policing, strategic deployment of personnel and cooperation with members of the public.
The police urged residents to continue providing credible information that could assist security operatives in identifying and apprehending criminal suspects.
