2025: A’Ibom Police Recover 179 Arms, Secure 33 Convictions, Rescue 74 From Traffickers
No fewer than 179 assorted arms, 323 rounds of ammunition and 100 live cartridges were recovered by the Akwa Ibom State Police Command in 2025.
The arms haul, according to the police, formed part of a year-long crackdown that also led to 33 convictions from 563 suspects arrested for various offences, alongside the rescue of 74 victims of human trafficking and 10 kidnapped persons, all of whom have since been reunited with their families.
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Muhammad Azare, disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, while presenting the Command’s operational scorecard for the year.
Azare who described the security situation in Akwa Ibom in 2025 as “generally peaceful, calm and stable,” attributed the achievements recorded to intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, strategic deployment of personnel, strong community cooperation and effective inter-agency collaboration.
He said the Command recorded significant operational breakthroughs during the period, particularly in the disruption of armed crime and kidnapping syndicates operating within and around the state.
“The Command recorded the following major achievements in 2025, among others: the rescue of 10 kidnapped victims, recovery of 179 assorted arms, 323 different types of ammunition, and 100 pieces of live cartridges,” the Commissioner said.
Beyond arms recovery and convictions, Azare noted that the rescue of 74 human trafficking victims underscored the Command’s renewed focus on protecting vulnerable persons and dismantling trafficking networks.
He assured residents that security arrangements had been further strengthened for the festive period and beyond, with intensified patrols, stop-and-search operations and strategic deployments across all local government areas.
Looking ahead, the Police Commissioner said the Command would deepen intelligence-driven policing and crime prevention strategies in 2026, with increased attention on violent crimes, cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping.
He added that community policing would be strengthened to build public trust, while the Command would also take a more proactive stance against cybercrime and the spread of fake news, working closely with sister security agencies.
Azare expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police for what he described as “purposeful leadership and unwavering support,” and thanked the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continued assistance to the Command.