The state police command of Akwa Ibom has declared that they have successfully stopped suspected Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members from carrying out their planned attack in the state.
ASP Timfon John, the spokesman for the command, stated that weapons and ammunition were found on the suspects.
John reported that last Thursday, during a vigorous police operation along Stadium Road in the Abiakpo Edem village, Ikot Ekpene local government area, the suspects were captured and their weapons recovered.
The release reads in parts: “The State Police Command on Thursday, August 29, 2024, recovered arms and ammunition from suspected IPOB agents during an intensive Patrol operation.
“The recovery was made by the Command’s operatives who were on intensive patrol along Stadium Road in Abiakpo Edem Inyang Village, Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area upon intelligence information that IPOB was planning to launch an attack on the State and her facilities.
“During the patrol, the Team flagged down a Lexus Jeep with Registration Number KUJ 886 FF. On sighting the police, two unidentified young men came down from the jeep and took to their heels into the nearby forest.
“While searching the Vehicle, the team recovered one AK 47 rifle loaded with 8 No of 8MM ammunitions; one locally made long-range pistol, one cartridge, 4 different vehicle number plates, Zenith and Access Banks ATM Cards, National Drivers’ License card, black coloured clothes, bags containing substances suspected to be Indian hemp and a torchlight.
“The team, with the assistance of the village youth combed the forest in search of the fleeing suspects. But no arrest has been made this far. The team is not resting on its para as it is determined to fetch the suspects and whoever is their sponsors and accomplices.
“The Command appeals to residents of the community and State to be vigilant and report suspicious and unknown movements to the Police for outright action. It is the full commitment of the Nigerian Police in the State to make Akwa Ibom very hot and uncomfortable for criminal elements”.
In a similar story, police indicted two alleged drug dealers on Saturday and found weapons and ammunition.
On Saturday, August 31, 2024, along Ring Road-3 in Uyo, command agents stormed the suspects’ home and made the recovery.
While Udeme Francis Daniel “M” is from Iwor Etor in Etinan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State, one of the suspects, Feziechukwu Kizito Okolie “M,” is from Abia-Omuma in Oru East Local Government Area of Imo State.
A Nitro Air rifle with a detachable telescope, a SID Sauer American pistol, a powerline Japanese pistol, a Phantom American pistol, a black bag with two pistol magazines holding ten rounds of live 9MM ammunition, a black pistol casing, two pairs of leather gloves, and three wraps of suspected cannabis sativa were among the items found in the suspects’ home.
