As per The Vanguard, the Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested a 13-year-old pupil of St. Paul Primary School, Eket, for allegedly threatening his classmates with a firearm. The arrest was confirmed by the State Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, during a press briefing in Uyo on Wednesday.
According to the police, a distress call was received on January 30, alerting officers to a disturbance at the school around 8 a.m.. Upon arrival, officers discovered that the young suspect was in possession of a locally-made pistol, which he had allegedly used to intimidate his fellow pupils.
"The operatives of the command immediately swung into action, arrested the suspect, and recovered a locally-made pistol," CP Azare disclosed.
During interrogation, the suspect revealed that he had been in possession of the firearm since November 2024. He further admitted that he retrieved the weapon from a section of his father’s bedroom, raising concerns about parental supervision and access to dangerous weapons.
In response to this revelation, the boy’s father was also taken into custody, and investigations are ongoing to determine how the weapon was stored and whether there was any negligence involved.
CP Azare assured the public that once the investigation is concluded, the suspect will face prosecution in court. He further stated that the command has intensified its crackdown on crime, leading to the recent arrests of individuals linked to cultism, illegal firearm possession, and drug-related offenses.
"We remain committed to ensuring the safety of all residents and will not tolerate any activities that endanger lives, particularly in schools," the commissioner added.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has urged parents and guardians to take greater responsibility in monitoring their children, while also appealing to the public to provide useful information that can help curb criminal activities in the state.