The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has reported successfully stopping an armed robbery at a petrol station along Ikot Ekpene Road, near Ikot Ekang Junction in Abak Local Government Area on January 2, 2026.
According to a statement from DSP Timfon John, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, the police acted on credible intelligence after six armed men arrived at the station around 7:47 p.m. intending to rob attendants. A gun duel ensued when the suspects encountered the police team, resulting in one robber being fatally wounded while the remaining five escaped on motorcycles, reportedly sustaining gunshot injuries.
During a thorough search of the area, officers recovered four locally made guns, six live cartridges, two mobile phones, a brown bag, a wallet, and four ATM cards. The body of the neutralised suspect, who has not yet been identified, was found with charms tied to it and has been taken to a mortuary.
The Commissioner of Police for Akwa Ibom State, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the officers for their bravery, swift response, and professionalism, noting that their actions prevented the robbery from escalating, ensured no civilians were harmed, and safeguarded property.
An intensive manhunt is ongoing to apprehend the remaining suspects. Members of the public, particularly medical practitioners, are urged to report anyone seeking treatment for gunshot wounds under suspicious circumstances, with all information treated confidentially.
