The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced the arrest of 178 individuals linked to a range of illegal activities, including armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of weapons throughout May. In a press briefing held at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, Commissioner of Police CP Baba Azare Mohammed revealed that law enforcement officers also recovered 69 firearms from the suspects during this period.
Commissioner Mohammed highlighted a significant achievement: the capture of a suspected drug kingpin and four associates during a raid at Okobo Ebughu, located in Mbo Local Government Area. During this operation, police confiscated 23 large sacks containing dried plant material believed to be Indian hemp, along with outboard boat engines.
The commissioner attributed these successes to a combination of intelligence-led strategies, coordinated raids, ongoing surveillance, stop-and-search operations, and targeted interventions in known crime hotspots. He issued a stern warning to criminals involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, and other violent offenses, stating that there would be no safe haven for them within the state.
In his statement, Mohammed affirmed the command’s dedication to protecting lives and property through enhanced intelligence gathering, tactical operations, patrols, and community policing efforts. He emphasized that the command would persist in its aggressive crackdown to maintain peace and security across all communities in Akwa Ibom State.