Police recover stolen vehicle, arrest suspect in A’Ibom

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State police command have arrested a suspected car snatcher and recovered a Toyota Corolla vehicle, with registration number DKA 337 CB.

The suspect, one Sunday Okon (Male) who hailed from Nna Enin Village, in Uruan Local Government Area, was apprehended after tracing the vehicle to Nkwot Ikono Village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

The command in a statement by it Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, issued in Uyo, on Thursday, said the operatives received a distress call while on routine night patrol along Godswill Akpabio International Stadium Uyo on 20th January, 2026, at about 11:30pm, from a man(name withheld) who reported that his Toyota Corolla vehicle was stolen at gunpoint.

According to the statement , the officers swiftly mobilised to the scene but discovered that the suspect had fled with the vehicle, adding that he was trailed through intelligence and arrested.

The statement read, ”The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested an armed robbery and car-snatching suspect and the recovery of a stolen vehicle in Uyo.

”On 20th January, 2026, at about 11:30pm, Operatives of the Command, while on routine night patrol along Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, swiftly responded to a distress call from a man (name withheld) who is a Bolt driver, reporting that he had been robbed of his Toyota Corolla vehicle at gunpoint.”

The Akwa Ibom police spokesperson further said, ”Upon arrival at the scene, it was discovered that the suspects had fled with the vehicle. However, through prompt intelligence gathering, operatives traced the stolen vehicle to Nkwot Ikono Village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

Consequently, one Sunday, Okon (Male) of Nna Enin Village, Uruan Local Government Area, was arrested in possession of the stolen Toyota Corolla vehicle, with registration number DKA 337 CB. The suspect confessed to the commission of the crime during preliminary interrogation.”

The cammand’s spokesperson said investigation has commenced to
apprehend other members of the criminal gang and recover their operational weapons.

Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, Baba Mohammed Azare, has commended the officers for their prompt response and professionalism, while also encouraging the public to remain calm and report all criminal elements in their areas.

On the safety profile, Akwa Ibom is generally considered one of Nigeria’s more peaceful states in the South-South region.

However, like many urban centers, its capital, Uyo, has seen a rise in “one-chance” robberies and carjackings targeting transport service providers.

Culled from punch