Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have uncovered and dismantled a suspected criminal hideout operating under the guise of a church in Ndiya Mfia village, Ikono Local Government Area, arresting seven persons and recovering firearms and other incriminating items.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed in a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday that the early morning raid followed actionable intelligence on the activities of suspected criminals using the facility as cover.
According to the police, the location—identified as a church named “All Power Belong to Me, Solomon of our Generation”—was stormed at about 6:00 a.m. on April 8, 2026, leading to the arrest of the suspects.
Those apprehended include the alleged leader, Preacher Brian Ebeka, alongside Kenneth Ezekiel, Dickson Ndueso, Abang Rowland, Esther Elijah Okon and Joy Elijah Okon, among others.
Items recovered from the scene include two locally fabricated double-barrel guns, five spent cartridges, four motorcycles, three large generators and 10 mobile phones.
Other exhibits listed by the police are a police crest, four jungle boots, a peak cap, a saw blade, a spanner, multiple vehicle number plates, five machetes, a special forces vest, bottles containing suspected spiritual substances and a large photograph believed to be connected to ongoing investigations.
The police said preliminary findings indicate that the facility was being used to perpetrate criminal activities under the cover of religious worship, describing the development as a disturbing abuse of faith-based platforms.
“The operation was carried out based on credible intelligence pointing to the presence of criminal elements in a compound disguised as a church,” the statement read, adding that investigations were ongoing.
The command warned that it would not tolerate any attempt to conceal unlawful activities under religious or other fronts, stressing that offenders would face the full weight of the law.
It further assured residents of its commitment to rid the state of criminal elements and maintain public safety.