Police Arrest Two Suspects Over Theft and Vandalism in Akwa Ibom

(Akwa Ibom Map. Photo by Premium Times)

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a 23-year-old man, Emmanuel Etim, for allegedly st3aling an industrial block moulding machine vibrator valued at over N2 million.

A statement issued by the command's Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, in Uyo on Thursday, said the suspect was apprehended while attempting to dispose of the st0len property.

According to the statement, the equipment, which was st0len from the Ikot Ekpene International Market, has since been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to arrest other members of the gang still at large.

The police explained that detectives, acting on a report of the theft of the equipment from the Ikot Ekpene International Market project site along the Calabar–Itu Road, launched a coordinated investigation that led to Etim's arrest as he allegedly attempted to dispose of the item, noting that the machine has been successfully recovered while efforts continue to track down other accomplices.

In another development, the command said operatives also arrested a 46-year-old man, Nsidibe Benson, for allegedly v@ndalising property belonging to Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic.

According to the statement, the suspect was arrested on July 19, 2026, following a distress call from a member of the public, with preliminary investigation revealing that he specialised in v@ndalising louvres, aluminium window frames, electrical wires and cables.

It explained that police operatives responded swiftly to the report of v@ndalism at a building within Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, where Benson was arrested at the scene.

Exhibits recovered from him included cut-to-size aluminium window frames and electrical cables, and he reportedly confessed to the crime during interrogation, even as investigations continue to track down members of his gang.

The statement added that the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the vigilance and timely information provided by members of the public, noting that it contributed significantly to the operational successes recorded.

He reiterated the command's commitment to protecting public infrastructure, safeguarding lives and property, and ensuring that criminal elements are identified, arrested and brought to justice, further urging residents to remain security-conscious and continue partnering with the police by providing timely and credible information on suspicious activities within their communities.