Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a traditional ruler, Chief Edet, over alleged possession of an illegal firearm, recovering an AK-47 rifle during the operation.
Chief Edet, 60, who serves as the village head of Asik Ubofa fishing settlement in Effiat Clan, Mbo Local Government Area, was apprehended on Tuesday following credible intelligence linking him to the unlawful possession of a weapon.
According to a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the arrest followed directives from the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, who ordered a coordinated operation to verify the information and take appropriate action.
Acting on the intelligence, detectives stormed the suspect’s location on March 24, 2026, at about 10:15 a.m., where they successfully recovered one AK-47 rifle alongside two empty magazines.
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The suspect was taken into custody without resistance.
The police noted that a discreet investigation has since been launched to determine how the firearm was acquired, identify any possible accomplices, and establish the motive behind the possession of the weapon.
The command further commended members of the public for providing timely and reliable information, stressing that such cooperation remains vital in the ongoing effort to curb the spread of illegal arms and criminal activities across the state.
Authorities also reiterated their warning to individuals in possession of unlawful firearms to surrender them voluntarily or face prosecution under the law.