The police Command in Akwa Ibom State has detained seven suspects and recovered firearms after raiding a criminal hideout in Ndiya Mfia, Ikono Local Government Area.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, made the disclosure in a statement in Uyo on Wednesday.

Ms John said that the arrest which occurred at about 6.00a.m on Wednesday followed credible intelligence from members of the public.

“We reliably gathered that criminal suspects were hibernating in a compound disguised as worshippers. In a decisive operation, our personnel conducted a thorough search of the premises which led to the detention and recovery of arms,” she said.

She said that the operation was in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police to decisively combat crime in the country.

The police spokesman said that two locally made double-barrel guns, five expended cartridges, four motorcycles and three generators were recovered during the operation.

She also listed 10 mobile phones, one police crest, four jungle boots, one peak cap, saw blade, spanner, number plates, machetes, a special force vest as other items recovered.

“We also found bottles of suspected spiritual oil and one enlarged photograph linked to an ongoing investigation,” she said.

Ms John said that preliminary investigation suggested that the location was being used as cover for criminal operations.

She said that the state Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, directed a comprehensive investigation on the matter in order to apprehend the principal suspect.

Ms John expressed the commitment of the command to rid the state of crime, and urged members of the public to always support the police with timely and credible information.

(NAN)