The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commenced an investigation following the recovery of an illegally possessed firearm and live ammunition from the residence of a suspected gun owner in Uyo Local Government Area.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Uyo, describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal arms across the state.
According to the statement, police operatives acting on credible intelligence carried out a targeted operation on July 11, 2026, at the residence of Edet George in Ikot Akpan Afaha Village after receiving reports that he frequently threatened members of the community with a firearm.
During a thorough search of the premises, officers recovered one single-barrel gun and eight rounds of live cartridges allegedly concealed inside the suspect’s residence.
The police spokesperson said preliminary investigations are underway to determine the origin of the firearm, verify whether it was legally acquired and establish if it had been used in the commission of any criminal offences.
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John further revealed that the suspect’s wife, whose identity was withheld, told investigators that her husband regularly used the firearm to intimidate members of the community as well as his family, including herself and their children.
She added that the recovered weapon and ammunition have been taken into police custody as investigations continue.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to combating the illegal possession of firearms and ensuring that anyone found using weapons to terrorise innocent citizens is brought to justice.
Azare said the police would sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at protecting lives and property, maintaining public order and improving security across the state.