RismadarVoice Reporters
January 30, 2026
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recovered 415 live cartridges during a stop-and-search operation along the Calabar–Itu Highway, arrested a suspect alongside two commuters accused of obstructing police duties.
According to the Command, the recovery was made on January 23, 2026, at about 11:00p.m., when police operatives on routine patrol intercepted a commercial bus with registration number ARR600ZY en route to Calabar.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a carton containing the ammunition.
The driver of the bus, identified as Ikenna, told officers that the cartridges did not belong to him, claiming he was transporting them as a waybill consignment to an unidentified recipient in Calabar.
Police said that during the operation, a commuter identified simply as “Excel” allegedly obstructed officers by engaging in provocative conduct.
Another passenger, Bright, who claimed to be an official of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), was also arrested after allegedly assaulting police officers and failing to produce a valid means of identification.
Further investigations led to the arrest of one Ndubisi Raphael, a 36-year-old indigene of Nyaje village in Akamkpa Local Government Area of Cross River State.
He was apprehended in Calabar, taken into police custody in connection with the recovered ammunition.
Akwa Ibom State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has ordered a discreet and comprehensive investigation to determine the source and intended use of the ammunition, with a view to prosecuting all individuals found culpable.
