Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
UYO, Nigeria — In a meticulously planned pre-dawn operation on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command carried out a targeted raid on a suspected criminal hideout that authorities say was operating under the guise of a religious worship centre in Ndiya Mfia village, Ikono Local Government Area. Seven people were arrested and a cache of weapons, equipment, and other items connected to suspected unlawful activity were recovered, according to official statements released by the command.
Police said the raid, which took place at about 6:00 a.m., was the culmination of actionable intelligence that criminals were using the compound to conceal their operations. The intelligence was received from members of the public, officials said, highlighting the central role community cooperation played in enabling law enforcement to zero in on the location.
DSP Timfon John, the Public Relations Officer for the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, disclosed that the seven individuals detained include those identified in police briefings as Preacher Brain Ebeka, Kenneth Ezekiel, Dickson Ndueso, Abang Rowland, Esther Elijah Okon, and Joy Elijah Okon. Police are investigating whether the suspects were directly involved in the alleged criminal activities or served as facilitators within the facility’s operations.
A thorough search of the premises uncovered two locally made double‑barrelled guns, five spent cartridges, four motorcycles, three large generators, ten mobile phones, and one police crest replica, among other items. According to the police, the presence of the police crest — an official symbol — raised serious concerns about attempts to impersonate or misuse official authority.
Authorities also seized jungle boots, a peak cap, machetes, a saw blade and a spanner, number plates, and bottles of what was described as suspected spiritual oil, as well as an enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation, underscoring the breadth of items found at the compound.
Police Commissioner Baba Azare has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the case, including efforts to track down an alleged principal suspect believed to be at large. The command has also reiterated warnings to criminal networks that there is “no hiding place” for unlawful actors, whether they operate overtly or through disguised fronts.
Officials indicated that the location had become a focus of suspicion in recent weeks after neighbors and informants reported unusual patterns of activity inconsistent with normal religious gatherings. While the compound bore the outward appearance of a worship centre, the intelligence indicated it was used to shelter and coordinate criminal activity.
In a statement to journalists, DSP Timfon John described the operation as “decisive and intelligence-driven,” undertaken in line with directives from the Inspector‑General of Police to aggressively tackle criminal networks across Nigeria. The police spokesperson emphasised the importance of community collaboration and urged the public to continue reporting suspicious persons and locations to security agencies.
Wednesday’s raid comes amid a broader context of policing efforts in Akwa Ibom State. Just a day earlier, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command publicly lauded residents for their cooperation and support in security operations, stressing that successful intelligence‑led policing has enhanced the command’s ability to respond to crime proactively. The statement highlighted that such collaboration between law enforcement and citizens has been instrumental in recent investigative breakthroughs.
While this latest operation was lauded by some local residents, reactions from the community have been mixed. Several neighbors who spoke with reporters expressed relief that a suspected hub of criminal activity had been shut down, particularly given the potential for violence or other illegal acts to emanate from such a base. Others voiced shock that a structure presented as a place of worship might have been misused in this way, emphasising the role of religious institutions as safe spaces for communities.
Local religious leaders condemned any exploitation of worship platforms for unlawful ends, reiterating that places of worship should serve as centres of spiritual guidance and community support, not as cover for criminal enterprises. “Any attempt to cloak illicit conduct in a spiritual garb is an affront to our society,” one senior cleric said in a statement.
Security analysts who track criminal trends in the South‑South region of Nigeria said the raid reflects a pattern in which law enforcement agencies have become more active in identifying and dismantling sophisticated hideouts used by criminal groups. Such groups occasionally adopt unconventional covers to evade detection, the analysts noted, making intelligence and informant networks crucial to successful police operations.
Despite the high visibility of the raid and the items recovered, police have not yet publicly detailed specific charges that will be brought against the detained individuals. Investigators said charging decisions will follow once all preliminary inquiries are complete and evidence has been thoroughly reviewed.
The ongoing probe is expected to explore the financial underpinnings of the compound’s activities, potential links to other criminal networks, and whether additional suspects remain at large.
As of press time, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command confirmed that they remain committed to due process and to ensuring that all individuals apprehended in connection with the case are dealt with in accordance with Nigeria’s legal framework.
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