Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have foiled a planned kidnapping operation in Oron Local Government Area of the state, recovering a pump-action gun, cartridges, a rope, speedboats and outboard engines.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.

According to John, the operation followed credible intelligence provided by members of the public concerning a suspected plan to carry out a kidnapping operation around the Oron axis.

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She said the information prompted the command to deploy operatives on a joint, intelligence-led operation targeting a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar-Oron channel.

During the operation, the police recovered one pump-action gun, two cartridges and a white rope suspected to have been intended for criminal activities.

The operatives also recovered two speedboats, three 200-horsepower outboard engines and one 15-horsepower outboard engine.

John said all the recovered items had been properly documented and kept in safe custody as investigations continue.
She explained that the operation was part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy designed to identify and disrupt criminal networks before they can execute their plans.

“The strategy is aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks before they are able to implement their plans.”

The police spokesperson further said the command remained committed to preventing criminals from turning waterways in Cross River into operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes.

She added that the Marine Police Unit had continued to maintain heightened vigilance across strategic waterways and coastal communities in the state.

According to her, the heightened security presence is intended to protect residents of coastal communities, boat operators, fishermen and other users of the waterways.

John also disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Azare, expressed satisfaction with the performance of the officers involved in the operation.

She quoted the commissioner as commending the personnel for their professionalism, courage and effective use of actionable intelligence.

“The commissioner of police is happy; the men are working gallantly. He is happy at their display of professionalism, courage and actionable intelligence,” she said.

The police command said it would sustain intelligence-driven operations and heightened surveillance across the state’s waterways to prevent criminal activities and protect lives and property.

A truck, adorned in the brand identities of Nigeria’s state oil major, alleged to be conveying 2,145kg of cannabis arrested by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) in Ondo State has been disowned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC Ltd).

The NNPC Ltd, in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odeh, said the intercepted truck was not owned by the company.

The rebuttal, was detailed in a media statement available at the NNPC Ltd’s website has it that Odeh averred that preliminary checks showed that the vehicle, with registration number MKA 960 XC, was neither part of NNPC Ltd.’s official fleet nor that of any of its authorised dealers.

He said the logo displayed on the truck was also inconsistent with NNPC Ltd.’s current official branding and that the vehicle was not listed in the company’s asset database.

“NNPC Ltd. is also engaging with the Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to obtain further information and establish the circumstances surrounding the use of the Company’s old branding on the vehicle.

“NNPC Ltd. takes any unauthorised use of its corporate identity seriously, particularly where such use may be associated with unlawful activity,” he said.

Odeh said the company remained committed to protecting its brand and ensuring that its name, trademarks and other corporate identifiers were not misused.

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He said that the NNPC Ltd. would continue to cooperate with the NDLEA and other relevant security agencies to establish the ownership and operation of the vehicle.

The spokesman said the company also supported a thorough investigation into how its markings came to be displayed on the truck.

He added that the NNPC Ltd. was reviewing its brand-protection and asset-monitoring protocols and would take appropriate measures, including legal action where warranted.

Odeh urged members of the public and relevant authorities to verify the ownership or affiliation of vehicles purporting to belong to the NNPC Ltd. through official channels.

He reiterated the company’s commendation of the NDLEA for its vigilance and sustained efforts to combat illicit drug trafficking in Nigeria.

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 23-year-old man, Mfon Essien, allegedly found in possession of a loaded locally made shotgun in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.

Essien, from Ikot Inyang Itak Village in Ikono Local Government Area, was arrested along Ayah Road, off Uyo Road, Ikot Ekpene, on Sunday, September 6, 2026, following credible intelligence received by police operatives.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, disclosed the arrest in a statement issued on Monday.

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According to the statement, a search of the suspect led to the recovery of a locally made shotgun loaded with a live cartridge.

The police alleged that the firearm had been concealed under Essien’s clothing at the time of his arrest.

The command described the arrest as a major breakthrough in its ongoing efforts to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and prevent violent crimes across Akwa Ibom State.

The suspect is currently in police custody as investigators work to determine the source of the firearm, why he was carrying it and whether he has links to other individuals or criminal groups involved in the illegal movement or use of firearms.

The State Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, said the command would continue its efforts to remove illegal weapons from the streets and prevent violent crimes.

“We will continue our efforts to remove illegal weapons from the streets and prevent violent crimes. Those involved in the illegal possession and circulation of firearms should desist because we will continue to use intelligence-led operations, patrols and other lawful measures against them,” Azare stated.

The commissioner also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information about suspicious persons, illegal weapons and criminal activities.

He assured members of the public that the identities of informants would be kept confidential.

“The Police Command remains committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace across Akwa Ibom State,” he added.