…secure conviction of influencer who spread fake news on social media
By Uko Etim
UYO—The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a phone robbery syndicate and recovered 34 assorted phones in Uyo, while also securing the prosecution of a social media influencer for spreading false security information capable of causing panic.
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia on Wednesday in Uyo.
The CP said operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one Musa Idris, a suspected receiver and distributor of stolen mobile phones linked to an armed robbery syndicate operating along the Calabar–Itu Road axis.
Investigations, he added, revealed that Idris was previously arrested in October 2025 for armed robbery and possession of over 200 assorted Android phones suspected to be stolen.
Items recovered from him include 34 assorted Android phones, 2 button phones, 1 standing fan, 1 rechargeable table fan, 1 80,000mAh power bank, 1 tricycle with Reg. No. AFG 64 WO, 1 jack knife, and quantities of substances suspected to be illicit drugs.
“The recovered phones are reasonably suspected to be proceeds of armed robbery operations carried out by criminal elements operating within and outside Akwa Ibom State,” the CP stated.
CP Azare disclosed that the suspect made useful statements revealing a wider criminal network involved in moving and reselling stolen phones beyond Nigeria’s borders. He said efforts have been intensified to apprehend other members of the syndicate still at large.
On fake news, the CP announced the conclusion of investigations into Akaninyene Udo, popularly known online as “AK Philo”, who allegedly circulated a threatening message captioned “Eket get ready for us” alongside the image of an armed bandit.
“The suspect was charged before a competent court and subsequently remanded in a Correctional Centre,” he said.
“The creation, publication, or dissemination of false security alerts and misleading information capable of causing public panic remains a criminal offence, and offenders will be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” CP Azare warned.
The Commissioner also announced a statewide enforcement operation targeting vehicles operating with covered, altered, obscured, defaced, or absent registration number plates, in line with directives from the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
He urged motorists to ensure proper registration and visibility of plate numbers to deny criminals the opportunity to use unregistered vehicles for crime.
CP Azare further commended the IGP for providing First Aid Boxes to Commands nationwide and announced that some officers would receive Certificates of Commendation for exemplary professionalism captured in a viral social media video.
He urged residents to support police with timely and credible information, adding: “We shall not relent in our efforts to ensure that criminals have no hiding place within our jurisdiction.”
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