A’Ibom CP orders probe as police intercept Mercedes Benz with arms

The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Azare, has ordered an investigation into a Mercedes Benz C300 model intercepted by the operatives of the Command during a stop-and-search operation in the Ikot-Ekpene Local Government Area of the state.

This was contained in a statement issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John in  Uyo, the state capital on Thursday.

The statement reaffirmed the command’s zero tolerance for unlawful possession of firearms while emphasising its readiness to remain resolute in ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state.

It stated that operatives intercepted the vehicle with customized plate number FORBES JR, leading to the recovery of a locally fabricated firearm and two live cartridges in a Control Post in the area.

According to the statement, the vehicle, which was flagged down for routine checks, had three male occupants  identified as Nsisong Paul Okon, 27 Francis Forbes, 62, and Prince Forbes, 27

The suspects all hailed from Ikono Local  Government Area of the state.

“In a determined effort to rid Akwa Ibom State of illegal firearms and criminal elements, operatives of the Command intercepted a Mercedes Benz C300 with customized plate number FORBES JR, leading to the recovery of a locally fabricated firearm and two live cartridges.

“The operation, which took place at the Control Post in Ikot Ekpene, was part of the Command’s intensified stop-and-search strategy aimed at curbing crime and enhancing public safety.

“The vehicle, which was flagged down for routine checks, had three male occupants. The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba M. Azare,  ordered a full-scale investigation into the matter.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command reaffirms its zero tolerance for unlawful possession of firearms and remains resolute in ensuring the safety of lives and property across the state” the statement partly read.