The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested masquerades involved in unlawful processions and activities in violation of the state government’s Executive Order restricting masquerade outings to approved locations with mandatory police permission and security coverage.

The arrests were disclosed by the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, during an end-of-year press conference with journalists in Uyo, where the Command reviewed its 2025 security operations and outlined priorities for 2026.

CP Azare said enforcement of the Executive Order on masquerade activities significantly reduced incidents of violence, disorder and breaches of public peace across the state. He reaffirmed the Command’s zero tolerance for jungle justice, unlawful gatherings and activities capable of undermining public safety.

The Commissioner noted that Akwa Ibom remained generally peaceful, calm and stable throughout 2025, attributing the feat to intelligence-led policing, proactive patrols, strategic deployments, strong community cooperation and effective inter-agency collaboration.

He disclosed that the Command recorded major operational breakthroughs, including the arrest of suspects involved in armed robbery, cultism, kidnapping and other violent crimes, as well as the recovery of large caches of weapons and ammunition. According to him, officers recovered 179 assorted arms, 323 different types of ammunition and 100 live cartridges, while several criminal hideouts and identified black spots were dismantled.

On the issue of misinformation, CP Azare expressed concern over the rising spread of fake news, especially on social media, revealing that arrests were made for the fabrication and circulation of false information capable of causing panic and tension in the state.

Highlighting other achievements in 2025, the Commissioner said 563 suspects