The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 78-year-old man, Godwin Nduaesa, and his alleged accomplice, Effiong Ekpenyong, 39, for their suspected involvement in illegal firearms manufacturing in the Okobo and Eket areas of the state.
The suspects were arrested in the early hours of Tuesday during a coordinated raid carried out by operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, a special initiative of the Inspector-General of Police aimed at tackling violent crimes and emerging security threats.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out based on credible intelligence and targeted locations suspected to be used for the local fabrication, servicing and repair of firearms.
The police disclosed that the raid led to the recovery of a cache of weapons and equipment allegedly used in the manufacture and maintenance of firearms.
The statement read, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained campaign against the proliferation of illegal firearms and the activities of criminal elements across the state.
“The success was achieved by operatives of the newly established Violent Crime Response Unit, a strategic initiative of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, designed to aggressively tackle the menace of violent crimes and other emerging security threats.
“In line with the strategic directives of the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, Baba Mohammed Azare, aimed at curbing the spread of small arms and light weapons, operatives of the command, acting on credible intelligence, conducted a coordinated intelligence-led raid on identified locations suspected to be used for the local fabrication, servicing and repair of firearms within the Okobo and Eket axes of the state.
“The operation, which was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday, June 2, 2026, at about 3:00 a.m., yielded significant results.”
Items recovered during the operation included three English-made double-barrel guns, two English-made single-barrel guns, 10 locally fabricated single-barrel guns, four iron barrels used in gun fabrication, two gas cylinders, two toolboxes containing fabricated implements and tools used for the construction, servicing and repair of firearms, as well as one live cartridge.
“The recovered items strongly indicate the existence of an illegal firearms fabrication and maintenance network operating within the affected areas.
“Following the operation, two suspects were arrested. They are Effiong Ekpenyong, male, 39 years, and Godwin Nduaesa, male, 78 years,” the statement added.
The police spokesperson reiterated the commitment of the Commissioner of Police to dismantling illegal arms manufacturing and trafficking syndicates across the state.
She said investigations had commenced to determine the full extent of the suspects’ involvement and to identify and apprehend other members of the alleged criminal network.
John added that the commissioner warned individuals involved in the illegal production, repair, distribution or possession of firearms to desist immediately or face the full weight of the law.
She stressed that the command remains resolute in its mission to rid the state of criminal elements and ensure the safety and security of residents.
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