Police arrest 7 in hideout disguised as church
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested seven suspected criminals operating from a hideout disguised as a church. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the suspects—four men and three women—were apprehended during a raid on the premises. In a statement issued on Wednesday in Uyo, John said preliminary investigations revealed that […]
A Nigerian Police Officer
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested seven suspected criminals operating from a hideout disguised as a church.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the suspects—four men and three women—were apprehended during a raid on the premises.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Uyo, John said preliminary investigations revealed that the building was being used as a cover for criminal activities.
She described the development as disturbing, noting the growing trend of using religious fronts to perpetrate unlawful acts.
Items recovered from the hideout include two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles, three large generators, 10 mobile phones, a police crest, four pairs of jungle boots, and a peak cap.
Other items include a saw blade, a spanner, several number plates, five machetes, a special forces vest, bottles of suspected spiritual oil, and an enlarged photograph linked to ongoing investigations.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the command swiftly mobilised for a targeted operation,” the statement said.
“The location was being used as a cover for criminal operations, raising serious concerns about the misuse of religious fronts for unlawful activities.”
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, has ordered a comprehensive investigation and intensified efforts to arrest the principal suspect, who is currently at large.
The command warned that it would not tolerate criminal activities under any guise.
“There will be no hiding place for criminal elements. Any attempt to disguise criminal activities—religious or otherwise—will be met with the full weight of the law,” the statement added.