2025: Police Arrest 563 Crime Suspects, Secure 33 Convictions In Akwa Ibom

By Patrick Titus, Uyo

Torwards crime reduction and control, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has secured conviction of 33 criminals out of 563 suspects arrested and arraigned in the court for various crimes in the state in 2025.

These include involvement in armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping, violent crimes, and other criminal activities.

Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Baba Azare told journalists during an end-of-year press conference held on Monday at the state command headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo.

CP Azare stated that the security situation in the state has remained generally peaceful, calm, and stable throughout the year under review.

He attributed the stride to intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, strategic deployments, community cooperation, and effective inter-agency collaboration.

The Commissioner gave the summary of the Command’s achievements within the year to include: “Recovery of 179 Assorted Arms; Recovery of 323 Different types of Ammunition; Recovery of 100 pieces of Live Cartridges; Recovered 14 stolen vehicles (released to their owners); Rescued 74 Human Trafficking victims and reunited with their families; Rescued 10 kidnapped victims.”

He added that several criminal hideouts and identified black spots across the state were dismantled.

CP Azare further stated that the Command ensured adequate security coverage for political, social, religious, and economic activities across the state, while maintaining strict enforcement of laws and government directives aimed at preserving public order.

On public safety, the Commissioner reiterated the Command’s stance against jungle justice, unlawful gatherings, and activities capable of breaching public peace.

He also confirmed compliance with the Executive Order of the Akwa Ibom State Government restricting masquerade activities to approved locations, with mandatory police permission and security coverage, a measure which significantly reduced violence and disorder.

The Commissioner expressed concern over what he described as “the increasing spread of fake information, particularly on social media,” and revealed that arrests were made in connection with the fabrication and circulation of false information capable of causing panic and tension, warning that offenders would continue to face the full weight of the law.

The police boss emphasized that community policing remains a core strategy of the Command, stressing sustained engagements with traditional rulers, youth and women groups, religious leaders, market associations, transport unions, school administrators, and other stakeholders across the state.

In 2026, CP Azare said, the Command’s key priorities would include, strengthening intelligence-led policing and crime prevention strategies; sustained clampdown on violent crimes, cultism, armed robbery, and kidnapping; deepening community policing and public trust; combating cybercrime and the spread of fake information; enhancing professionalism, discipline, and respect for human rights; improved deployment strategies and use of modern policing tools and strengthening collaboration with sister security agencies.”

On Christmas and New Year festivities and beyond, he assured residents that adequate security measures have been put in place, with intensified patrols, stop-and-search operations, and strategic deployments across all Local Government Areas.

The Commissioner thanked the Inspector-General of Police for his purposeful leadership, policy direction, and unwavering support to the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, which he said greatly enhanced operational effectiveness.

He also applauded the Akwa Ibom State Government for its continuous support, sister security agencies for their cooperation, officers and men of the Command for their dedication and sacrifice, and the good people of Akwa Ibom State for their trust and partnership.

The Commissioner reassured residents of the Command’s unwavering commitment to the protection of lives and property in 2026 and urged the public to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and to promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest police station.

Meanwhile, three masquerades were arrested and paraded at the occasion for disobeying the state government restricted order on masquerade activities in the state.