The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 42-year-old suspect and recovered a locally made pistol in Essien Udim Local Government Area, thwarting what authorities described as a potential violent attack.
The Command said the operation was part of its ongoing intelligence-led campaign against criminality in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain public safety.
According to the Police, the incident occurred at about 9 p.m. on July 1, 2026, after the Command Control Room in Uyo received a distress call from a community leader, whose identity was withheld, alleging that one Bassey Udo Idiong had stormed his palace armed with a locally made pistol and threatened to shoot him.
Operatives were immediately deployed to the scene, where they reportedly disarmed the suspect without incident and recovered the firearm. The suspect was subsequently taken into custody.
The Police said the swift intervention prevented what could have resulted in a tragic loss of life and demonstrated the Command’s commitment to responding promptly to credible security threats across the state.
The suspect remains in custody while detectives have commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the source of the recovered firearm, establish the motive behind the alleged threat, and identify any accomplices or criminal network linked to the suspect. He will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the officers involved in the operation, Commissioner of Police Baba Mohammed Azare praised their professionalism, courage and prompt response, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to sustain aggressive intelligence-led policing and targeted operations against illegal firearms and violent crime.
He also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that all reports would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The Police Command reiterated its commitment to protecting lives and property across Akwa Ibom State, warning that criminal elements would find no hiding place in the state.
