The Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom is looking into a case involving a man found with a toy AK-47 rifle. He allegedly said he works as a vigilante for the state Commissioner for Information, Aniekan Umanah.
The police shared this information in a statement on Wednesday. They said the suspect, Wisdom Umana, was caught by an officer at the Government House in Uyo.
"Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect claimed to be a vigilante operative attached to the Commissioner for Information on escort duties," said Timfon John, a deputy superintendent of police.
The police are still investigating the situation to understand how the suspect came to have the fake firearm and what he was doing with it.
When PREMIUM TIMES reached out, Mr Umanah denied having any vigilante workers. He stated that the only security personnel he has are officers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
"I don’t have any vigilante that works with me in my house or in my office. I have only two from Civil Defence. My security officials were officially given," the commissioner said.
This situation raises questions about the suspect's identity and why he claimed to be linked to the commissioner. Sources close to Mr Umanah told PREMIUM TIMES that Mr Umana is a gateman at Premium FM, a radio station in Abak, which is also the commissioner’s hometown.
There have been many public mentions connecting the station’s operating company, Southwave Communications Services Limited, to Mr Umanah. However, the commissioner has not openly said he owns the company, only referring to it as a family business.
When asked, the station manager of Premium FM, Sixtus Tom, confirmed that Mr Umana works there as a gateman.
"Yes, he works here," Mr Tom said.
"We have security men who work on shift. He was not on duty yesterday. Yet, he has never for once shown such a tendency that we have come to hear about him today."
The police have not revealed where Mr Umana was arrested, if the toy rifle was out in the open or hidden, or if he has committed any crime.
In a follow-up to journalists, Ms John said the suspect’s claims have not been confirmed and are still being looked into. She mentioned that updates would be shared with reporters.
This incident comes as police in Akwa Ibom step up efforts to tackle illegal firearms and other crimes. In May, PREMIUM TIMES reported that police in Akwa Ibom had seized 69 firearms from suspects in the state within five months.
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