POLICE in Akwa Ibom state have impounded 415 live cartridges loaded in a commercial bus number plated ARR600ZY on the Calabar-Itu Highway, arresting four suspects in the process.
Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom Command DSP Timfon John, in a statement Friday on the development said, those arrested include the driver of the vehicle, two other occupants and a contact in Calabar, Cross Rivers state.
John stated, “On 23 January, 2026 at about 2300 hours, operatives of the Command on routine stop-and-search along the Calabar–Itu Highway, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number ARR600ZY, en route Calabar.
“A carton containing Four Hundred and Fifteen (415) live cartridges was recovered. The vehicle was driven by one Ikenna, with passengers on board.
“The driver claimed the ammunition was not his but was allegedly conveyed as a waybill consignment to an unidentified person in Calabar.
“In the course of the operation, a commuter identified as “Excel” obstructed officers in the lawful discharge of their duties by engaging in provocative conduct.
“Another commuter, one Bright who claimed to be an official of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) but failed to produce a valid identification, joined in assaulting the police officers. Both individuals were promptly arrested.
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“Upon further investigations, One Ndubisi Raphael ‘m’, a 36-year-old indigene of Nyaje village of Akamkpa LGA, Cross River State was subsequently arrested in Calabar and taken into police custody.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare has ordered investigation to unravel the source and intended use of the recovered ammunition with a view to prosecuting persons found culpable.”