Police stop palace attack in Akwa Ibom, arrest suspect with gun

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a 42-year-old man. He allegedly attacked a palace with a locally made pistol in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, shared this news in a statement on Saturday in Uyo.

According to the statement, the suspect is Bassey Udo Idiong. He was arrested on July 1, 2026, around 9:00 p.m. after a distress call came in.

The police spokesperson said officers acted on good intelligence. They quickly went to the scene, disarmed the suspect, and seized the locally made pistol.

The statement included, "The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded another significant operational success in its sustained campaign against criminality with the arrest of a suspected armed criminal and the recovery of a locally made pistol in Essien Udim Local Government Area.

"On 1st July, 2026, at about 9:00 p.m., a distress report was relayed from the Command Control Room, Uyo, from one man (name withheld) that one Bassey Udo Idiong, a 42-year-old male from the same community, had stormed his palace armed with a locally made pistol and threatened to shoot him."

"Acting swiftly on the intelligence, operatives of the Command mobilised immediately to the scene. The suspect was professionally disarmed without incident and taken into custody, while the locally made pistol was recovered as an exhibit."

The police response prevented what could have ended in tragedy. It also shows the command’s commitment to tackling every credible security threat in the state.

John said the suspect is now in police custody. A discreet investigation has started to find out where the gun came from. They also want to understand the motive behind the attack and if the suspect has any accomplices.

She added that the suspect would face charges in court once the investigations are finished.

The police spokesperson noted that the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, praised the officers for their quick response and professionalism.

She said the commissioner repeated the command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing. They aim to remove illegal firearms, violent criminals, and other crime in the state.

Azare emphasized that security is a shared responsibility. He urged residents to help the police with timely and credible information, assuring them that all reports would be kept confidential.

The commissioner also warned criminals that there would be no hiding place for anyone trying to disrupt peace in Akwa Ibom State. The command remains determined to protect lives and property.