Akwa Ibom State Police Command recently raided an illegal gun manufacturing facility at Ekit Itam Village, Itu Local Government Area of the state.
The action led to the arrest of Aniekan Aniedi and Ubong Udofia and recovery of items including locally made pistols.
Besides, the command reported an arrest of one Samuel Geofrey ‘m’, aged 27, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State, a suspected militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping.
Announcing the achievements during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters in Uyo, Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, said the militant confessed to the crime, and disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane ‘m’, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.
He said:”On 3rd November, 2025, at about 1145hrs, operatives of the Command, in collaboration with Marine Hunters, intercepted and arrested one Samuel Geofrey ‘m’, aged 27 years, a native of Atakpere Community in Ekeremo LGA of Bayelsa State.
“The suspect confessed to being an active militant involved in sea piracy and kidnapping. He disclosed that his rifle was in the custody of one Kingdom Bane ‘m’, the Village Head of Ine Eyoabasi Fishing Village.
“Operatives immediately stormed the village. Though the Village Head fled upon sighting the teams, a search of his makeshift residence led to the recovery of numerous items suspected to have been stolen from sea travelers.
“Items recovered include: One 40HP, two 15HP, and one 8HP marine engines, Four power heads, four gear boxes, four propellers, and four engine covers, One Snow Sea deep freezer, Three generators, amongst others. The suspect is in custody, while efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing Village Head”.
Speaking further on the illegal gun manufacturers, CP Azare listed exhibits recovered from the factory to include three fabricated locally made guns, five pieces of metal pipe, two iron rods, copper wire, flat metal plates (gun butts), one welding machine, one mini electric screwdriver, one electric filing machine.
He assured that Investigation is ongoing to identify and apprehend their criminal network of armed robbers and cultists.
On the stolen property recovery, the Police paraded a suspect, Umar Bello, caught with 31 stolen mobile phones about to be shipped to Kano. The operation also led to the arrest of other handlers of stolen tricycles and vehicle parts, including Maxwell Asuquo and Etin Akpan. Exhibits recovered included three tricycles and over seventy mobile phones.
