Akwa Ibom Police Raid Shrine, Arrest Seven Armed Robbery Suspects
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully dismantled a notorious armed robbery gang, arresting seven suspects and recovering weapons during a raid on their hideout in Ikot Osong village. The gang allegedly used the location as a shrine to perform rituals for "native protection" before their operations.
Key Details of the Operation:
Location: The raid took place in Ikot Osong, a village in the Obot Akara Local Government Area.
Suspects Arrested: Seven individuals were apprehended, including David Effiong Silas (29), Etido Udo Lazarus (26), Etimbuk Thursday Udofia (25), and Ime Effiong Silas (27), also known as "Udo Doctor."
Items Recovered: The police recovered a variety of items, including a locally made cut-to-size double-barrel gun, ammunition, five motorcycles, a bicycle, various charms, face masks, mobile phones, power banks, a police-crested cap, and an army camouflage cap.
Intelligence-Led Operation:
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the operation was the result of an intensive investigation. The police gained critical intelligence after one of the gang's leaders was neutralized during a foiled robbery attempt and the overall gang leader was arrested in a separate raid in Imo State. The information gathered from these arrests led the police directly to the gang's shrine and operational base.
The police have described the operation as a major success in their efforts to curb violent crime in the region.
