In a decisive move against the rising wave of infrastructure vandalism, operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have dismantled a suspected syndicate operating out of scrap dumps in Uyo.
Acting on intelligence, the Command launched a coordinated operation on Monday, July 15, leading to the arrest of four suspects and the recovery of significant quantities of suspected stolen government property.
The breakthrough followed the arrest of Aniekpeno Essien Isaac, who, under interrogation, revealed locations where stolen public infrastructure was allegedly being trafficked. By 9:00 p.m. that same day, officers had stormed two suspected scrap yards, where they arrested three others: Moses Indiana, Nwokoro Onyemelum and Nnabuike Okonkwo
Recovered items included vandalized aluminum electric cables, parts of generator sets, roofing sheets, burnt copper wiring, galvanized pipes, angle bars, and other hardware suspected to have been stripped from public facilities.
“This operation highlights the Command’s resolve to go after criminal networks targeting public assets. We will not allow infrastructure meant to serve the people to be cannibalized by selfish elements,” said DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer for the Command.
Authorities say investigations are ongoing to trace the origins of the stolen materials and identify possible collaborators in the illicit trade.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command urged residents to remain vigilant and continue supporting law enforcement efforts by reporting suspicious activities through appropriate channels.