Akwa Ibom Police Dismantle Notorious Burglary Syndicate, Recover Stolen Generator, Solar Batteries, Iron Rods
In a significant breakthrough in the fight against crime, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully dismantled a notorious burglary and stealing syndicate operating across various local government areas in the state. This operation led to the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of stolen items including a generator, solar batteries, iron rods, nails, and binding wires.
This major development was confirmed on Thursday, May 22, 2025, by the spokesperson of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Timfon John, through an official press release.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully apprehended a suspected key member of a notorious burglary and stealing syndicate, leading to further arrests and the recovery of stolen items,” the statement read.
How It All Began: The Arrest of Asuquo Archibong Effiong
The breakthrough came after the Police acted on credible intelligence. According to the statement, on the morning of Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at around 8:00 AM, officers of the command apprehended one Asuquo Archibong Effiong, a male suspect originally from Esuk Mba Village in Bakassi Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State, who currently resides in Ibiaku Ishiet Village, Uruan LGA of Akwa Ibom State.
Effiong, who is suspected to be a key figure in the burglary ring, was taken in for interrogation where he made a startling confession that led to further revelations about the operations of the gang.
“During interrogation, Effiong confessed to his involvement in burgling houses in Ifa Atai Village, Uyo LGA, and its environs, along with his gang members, identified only as Umoh (male) and Twancy (male),” DSP John revealed.
Shocking Confession: Cultism Connection
What made Effiong's confession even more alarming was his admission of being a member of a secret cult group known as 'Mafia'. He reportedly gave law enforcement authorities the names of other cult members, which could potentially unravel more criminal networks operating in the state.
“He also admitted to being a member of the Mafia secret cult group and provided names of his fellow cult members.”
This cultist angle has widened the scope of the police investigation, as cult groups in Nigeria are often linked to crimes such as robbery, drug trafficking, and violence.
The Receivers of Stolen Goods: 6 More Arrested
Effiong’s confession proved instrumental in tracing the chain of stolen goods. Following his lead, the Police swung into action and arrested six individuals suspected of being receivers of the stolen property. The suspects, all males, reside along Ring Road III in Uyo, the capital city of Akwa Ibom.
The arrested suspects are:
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Augustine Ita Essien
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Sadam Musa
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Usman Haruna
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Umar Abubakar
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Murtiala Muhammed
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Emmanuel Sunday
According to DSP John, these individuals are believed to have been buying and hiding stolen property for the gang.
Massive Recovery of Stolen Items
Following the arrests, a search was immediately conducted at the residences and premises of the six suspects. The search yielded a haul of stolen materials, confirming the Police's suspicion.
“An immediate search of their residences and premises resulted in the recovery of a generator, several pieces of iron rods, eight solar batteries, quantities of nails and binding wires.”
The recovery of solar batteries and iron rods indicates that the gang was not only targeting residential homes but also construction sites and possibly public infrastructure. These items are often expensive and essential, making them high-value targets for thieves.
Ongoing Investigations and Police Commitment
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command emphasized that investigations are still ongoing to uncover the full network behind the burglary ring. More suspects may soon be identified and arrested based on the leads already in custody.
“The police are continuing their investigation to apprehend other suspects. Further developments will be communicated to the public.”
This assurance was followed by a strong message of commitment from the state’s police command:
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command remains committed to its mandate of protecting lives and property.”
Implications for Security in Akwa Ibom
This development is a strong signal to criminal elements within Akwa Ibom that the Police are vigilant and ready to respond swiftly to threats against the safety of citizens. The arrests and recovery of stolen goods are likely to boost public confidence in the Police force and deter future criminal activity in the state.
The discovery of a cultist link to the burglary also sheds light on the increasingly complex nature of crime in Nigeria, where secret cults not only engage in violence but also orchestrate theft, smuggling, and other organized criminal activities. It also highlights the importance of intelligence gathering and community policing, as the arrest was made possible by credible information from sources close to the affected areas.
Conclusion: Vigilance is Key
This successful crackdown by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command is a reminder of the importance of vigilance and timely reporting of suspicious activities. Communities must work closely with security agencies by providing useful tips and collaborating on local intelligence.
As the Police continue to investigate and bring more culprits to book, it is hoped that Akwa Ibom will remain a safer place for all its residents, especially as the state continues to grow and attract new businesses and investments.
For more updates on this and other security developments in Nigeria, stay tuned to NaijaRush.com, your number one source for current affairs, crime reports, and breaking news from every corner of the country.
