Nigerian Police Arrests Suspected Armed Robber in Akwa Ibom

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.
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The police said the arrest followed a distress alert in the early hours of September 14, 2026.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Monday and made available to journalists in Uyo.

John said operatives on vehicular patrol received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to Ikot Ekweng Village in Ibiono Ibom, following a report of a violent attack at about 5am.

According to her, the patrol team met one Inspector Henry, who alleged that he was attacked by one Ini Mfon.

The police spokesperson said the suspect allegedly attacked the officer with a machete while attempting to dispossess him of his tricycle, leaving the officer with an injury to his right hand.

The statement read, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained onslaught against violent crime and the proliferation of illegal firearms across the State, following the arrest of a suspected armed robber and the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area.

“The arrest followed a swift response by Police operatives to a distress alert in the early hours of 14 September 2026. At about 0500 hours, operatives of the Command, while on vehicular patrol, received an emergency alert from the Command Control Room directing them to Ikot Ekweng Village, Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, following a reported violent attack”, part of the statement said.

“A subsequent search of the premises led to the recovery of two locally made pistols and two machetes, allegedly found in his possession,” the statement said.

John said detectives were working to determine the source of the weapons, whether they had been used in previous operations and if the suspect was linked to other criminal syndicates within or outside the local government.

She added that the suspect was currently in police custody and assisting investigators, while the recovered weapons had been secured as exhibits.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their prompt response and professionalism, saying the arrest demonstrated the command’s resolve to tackle violent crime.

He warned that the command would sustain intelligence-led policing, targeted raids and aggressive patrols to recover illegal firearms and dismantle criminal networks.

Police Arrests

“We will continue to intensify intelligence-led policing, targeted raids, aggressive patrols and other lawful security operations aimed at recovering illegal firearms and dismantling criminal networks across the State. Any credible information supplied to the Police will be treated with utmost confidentiality”, he said.

Azare added that Akwa Ibom would not be a safe haven for persons involved in armed robbery and unlawful possession of firearms, and urged residents to report suspicious activities and the movement of illegal firearms.
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Inspector-General Disu Honours Retired DST Abiodun for Outstanding Service

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, on Thursday, 17 September 2026, honoured retired Deputy Superintendent of Traffic (DST) Anifa Bello Abiodun with the IGP’s Award of Recognition and cash support in appreciation of her outstanding service to the Nigeria Police Force.
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The presentation took place at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, where the IGP commended the retired officer for her professionalism, discipline, resilience and dedication to traffic management during her years of service with the Ogun State Police Command, particularly in Abeokuta.

Throughout her career, DST Anifa Bello Abiodun distinguished herself through her commitment to duty and consistent service to members of the public. Her professionalism and dedication earned her the appreciation and goodwill of residents and road users within the communities where she served, culminating in public recognition of her service.

Speaking during the presentation, the IGP noted that members of the public appreciate the Police when officers discharge their duties professionally and responsibly, stressing that public dissatisfaction is often directed at misconduct rather than the institution itself. He expressed satisfaction that the retired officer had earned the respect and recognition of the community she served.

The IGP further emphasised that while the Nigeria Police Force will continue to hold personnel accountable for misconduct, it is equally important to recognise and reward officers who demonstrate professionalism, integrity and exemplary service. He noted that such recognition reinforces the values expected of personnel and encourages others to distinguish themselves through dedicated service.

IGP Disu

The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to promoting accountability, rewarding exemplary conduct and recognising personnel whose dedication to duty strengthens public confidence and contributes meaningfully to policing and service to communities across the country.

CSP Ani Iniedu, Anipr
Force Public Relations Officer
Force Headquarters, Abuja
17th September, 2026
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IG Disu Assures Parents of Children’s Safety

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assured parents that their children are safe in schools across the country.
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Disu gave the assurance during the flag-off of the Police Community Relations Committee’s Safe School Initiative in Abuja on Thursday.

The committee also mobilised 10,000 volunteers and commenced the deployment of CCTV cameras to schools across the country.

Representing the IG at the ceremony, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, said the police had taken responsibility for strengthening security around schools nationwide.

He said the Force had also developed internal warning and response mechanisms to enable schools to quickly alert security authorities to emerging threats.

Disu said, “I want to assure parents that our children are safe. The Nigeria Police Force has taken responsibility for strengthening the security of schools across the country. We have developed internal warning and response mechanisms to enable schools to quickly alert security authorities to emerging threats. ”

He said the programme was particularly important against the backdrop of the increasing targeting of soft targets, including schools and places of worship, by criminal and terrorist elements.

Speaking on the initiative, the PCRC National Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, said the programme was a practical demonstration of community policing under Disu.

Olaniyan said the IGP had directed the committee to move beyond supporting police formations and become more actively involved in securing communities.

“He directed us to go out. You are in charge of your community. You represent the villages and communities. Together, we want to partner with him to say: never again in this country should there be an attack on our teachers and our schools,” he said.

He disclosed that the PCRC would deploy 10,000 volunteers across the country under the programme, working with the police, community leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders.

The PCRC chairman said the initiative would focus particularly on schools in rural and remote communities, which he described as potentially vulnerable to attacks by criminal elements.

He added that the FCT PCRC would provide three additional cameras, with the objective of expanding surveillance coverage to schools across the six area councils of the territory before extending the model nationwide.

He appealed to individuals and organisations to support the initiative through the provision of CCTV cameras and other resources required to enhance surveillance around schools.

According to him, the cameras would enable security authorities to monitor activities around schools, including when the facilities were not occupied, and facilitate the early detection of suspicious movements.

Olaniyan said the programme would also prioritise the protection of teachers, while efforts would be made to address social vices among young people through sustained engagement with pupils and students.

He said the PCRC would establish stronger links between schools and former students who had become professionals, including lawyers and judges, to serve as mentors and role models for pupils.

He added that the committee had commenced engagements with community leaders, vigilante groups and other stakeholders ahead of the resumption of schools.

“We are not working in isolation. We are engaging community leaders, vigilantes and other stakeholders. If you see something, say something,” Olaniyan said.

He said the Safe School Programme had come to stay and would remain a priority of the PCRC in partnership with the Nigeria Police Force.

IGP Disu

The police had earlier raised concerns over possible attacks on schools and other vulnerable locations following intelligence on the movement of armed elements from Katsina through Kaduna towards Plateau State.

In a security alert circulated to police formations nationwide, the Force said intelligence available to the Department of Operations indicated an “increased mobilisation of terrorist elements for possible coordinated attacks” on places of worship, schools, NYSC orientation camps and other vulnerable locations.

The police also said suspected Islamic State West Africa Province operatives and their local collaborators were conducting surveillance and reconnaissance of potential targets, with the planned attacks possibly coinciding with the resumption of the 2026/2027 academic session.
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