Police Bust Criminal Hideout Disguised As Church, Arrest 7 Suspects, Recover Firearms, Others Items In Akwa Ibom

Wednesday April 8, 2026
www.thenewsdesk.ng

By Idorenyin UMOREN 

Private Investigator and Security Evaluator 

In a decisive, intelligence-driven operation, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major breakthrough in its sustained crackdown on criminal elements across the State, in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime.

This was made known by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Timfon John in a Press Release issued on Wednesday, April 8, 2026 in Uyo.

According to DSP John: “Acting on credible intelligence indicating that suspected criminals were hibernating in a compound disguised as a church, Ndiya Mafia village in Ikono Local Government Area, the Command swiftly mobilized for a targeted operation. At about 0600hrs on 8th April 2026.

“The operation led to the arrest of seven (7) suspects, namely:
• PREACHER BRAIN EBEKA ‘M’
• KENNETH EZIEKIEL ‘M’
• ⁠DICKSON NDUESO ‘ M’
• ⁠ABANG ROWLAND ‘M’
• ESTHER ELIJAH OKON ‘F’
•. JOY ELIJAH OKON ‘F’
• ESTHER ELIJAH OKON ‘F’

“A thorough search of the premises led to the recovery of the following exhibits:
• Two (2) locally made double-barrel guns
• Five (5) expended cartridges
• Four (4) motorcycles
• Three (3) large generators
• Ten (10) mobile phones
• One police crest
• Four (4) jungle boots
• One peak cap
• One saw blade and one spanner
• Several plate numbers
• Five (5) machetes
• One special forces vest
• Bottles of suspected spiritual oil
• One enlarged photograph linked to ongoing investigation

“Preliminary investigation suggests that the location was being used as a cover for criminal operations, raising serious concerns about the misuse of religious fronts for unlawful activities.

“The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has directed a comprehensive investigation into the matter and intensified efforts to apprehend the principal suspect currently at large.

“The Command wishes to issue a stern warning to all criminal elements in the State: there will be no hiding place. Any attempt to disguise criminal activities under any cover religious or otherwise will be met with the full weight of the law.

“Members of the public are advised to remain vigilant and continue to support the Police by providing timely and credible information. The Command remains resolute in its commitment to safeguarding lives and property across Akwa Ibom State,” the release concluded.