Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has delivered a significant blow to a notorious armed robbery syndicate that has been terrorising motorcycle operators and residents in the Midim community of Abak Local Government Area. Acting on credible intelligence, police operatives raided the criminals’ hideout in the early hours of Thursday, May 14, 2026, arresting one suspect and recovering a cache of weapons and incriminating items. Two other members of the gang managed to flee into the nearby bush with suspected gunshot wounds, and a manhunt is currently underway to apprehend them.
In a statement released in Uyo on Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, detailed the operation. The raid was executed around 3:00 a.m. following weeks of intelligence gathering on a gang that had been robbing commercial motorcycle operators (popularly known as okada riders) at gunpoint. According to the statement, the criminals targeted unsuspecting riders in the Midim area and its environs, dispossessing them of their motorcycles, money, and other valuables. The police spokesperson said that after receiving credible information, operatives quickly mobilised and carried out a coordinated assault on the hideout. The suspects, who were caught off guard, attempted to flee upon noticing the approaching officers, but one was captured.
The arrested suspect was identified as Uduak Vincent, a 28‑year‑old resident of Ikot Ifang Village in Midim clan, Abak LGA. Items recovered from him include a locally made firearm, a small axe, a knife, six wraps of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, three bottles of a substance believed to be “ice” (a dangerous synthetic drug), two mobile phones, three rings, one Airtel SIM card, a multi‑coloured handbag, and charms suspected to be used for criminal protection. The recovery of three rings suggests that the gang may have been robbing victims of personal jewellery, adding another layer to the terror they inflicted on their victims.
The operation has been hailed by residents of Midim and surrounding communities, who have long complained about the increasing wave of armed robberies targeting commercial motorcyclists. In recent months, several okada riders have been attacked, robbed of their motorcycles, and in some cases, physically assaulted. The police command noted that the arrest was part of a broader strategy to rid the state of criminal elements, particularly those who target vulnerable transport workers.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their swift response and professionalism. He reiterated the command’s resolve to eradicate criminal elements from the state and warned all violent offenders to either reform or be prepared for decisive police action. The CP further directed that the fleeing suspects be tracked down and brought to justice, and that the recovered items be thoroughly investigated for possible links to other crimes in the area.
The three bottles of “ice” recovered from the suspect point to a possible connection between drug abuse and violent crime. Ice, a potent synthetic drug, has been linked to increased aggression and criminal behaviour among users. The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has repeatedly warned about the proliferation of such substances in the South‑South region. The police have stated that the drugs recovered will be handed over to the NDLEA for further analysis.
The recovery of charms also raises questions about the belief systems that drive some criminals. In many parts of Nigeria, robbers and kidnappers often carry charms that they believe will make them invisible to security forces or protect them from bullets. The fact that Vincent was still arrested, despite possessing such charms, serves as a stark reminder that no amount of spiritual protection can save a criminal from the long arm of the law.
The police have urged members of the public, particularly commercial motorcycle operators, to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station. The command has also increased patrols around the Midim area and its surroundings to prevent any reprisal attacks by fleeing gang members. The two suspects who escaped are believed to have sustained gunshot injuries during the exchange, and police have alerted all medical facilities in the state to report anyone seeking treatment for bullet wounds.
The arrest of Uduak Vincent marks a major breakthrough in the fight against armed robbery in Abak LGA. However, residents are aware that the gang’s full dismantlement requires the capture of the two fleeing suspects. The police have assured the public that efforts are ongoing, and that the command will not rest until all members of the syndicate are apprehended and prosecuted.
This latest success adds to a series of similar operations by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command. In recent months, the command has arrested several robbery suspects and recovered firearms, stolen vehicles, and other exhibits. The Commissioner of Police has made it clear that the command is committed to a zero‑tolerance policy towards crime, and that any person found violating the law will face the full consequences.
As investigations continue, the police have appealed to residents of Midim and neighbouring communities to provide any useful information that could lead to the arrest of the fleeing suspects. The police also reminded the public that harbouring criminals is a punishable offence, and that anyone found sheltering the escapees will be prosecuted. For now, the people of Midim can breathe a little easier, knowing that one of their tormentors is behind bars. But the hunt continues, and the police are determined to ensure that the remaining gang members are brought to justice.
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