Akwa Ibom Police Bust Drug Ring, Arrest 5, Seize Guns

In the ongoing offensive to rid Akwa Ibom State of drugs, small arms and light weapons, operatives of the State Police Command have raided a criminal hideout, arresting five criminal suspects, recovered large quantity of illicit drugs and firearms.

The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this to Journalists at the state headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, the state capital, said the raid was carried out at Ibesikpo Asutan and Uyo local government areas, acting on superior intelligence.

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded major breakthroughs in its ongoing crackdown on criminal activities, arresting five suspects and recovering firearms and suspected drug exhibits in a coordinated operations across Uyo and Ibesikpo Asutan LGAs.

“In Uyo, operatives acting on credible intelligence apprehended one Ofonime Tom, a suspected member of a gang linked to criminal activities around Michael Abraham Street, Nkemba Street, Ikot Ebido Oku, and adjoining areas. The suspect was arrested on April 25, 2026, at about 8:30 p.m., with a locally made pistol recovered from him.

“In a separate operation on April 26, 2026, police raided a suspected criminal hideout at Ikot Mbou in Ibesikpo Asutan, leading to the arrest of four suspects identified as Sunday Benedict Asuquo, Abdulkarim Umaru, Yahaya Muhammad, and Sherif Baworo.

“Items recovered during the raid include quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, ₦28,000 cash, multiple mobile phones, a lighter, two kitchen knives, two pairs of scissors, and a black bag,” she stated.

Police said preliminary investigations indicate the location was being used as a hub for illicit drug distribution and other criminal activities, adding that all “suspects are currently in custody and undergoing interrogation, while efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the network.”

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reiterated the Command’s zero tolerance for crime, assuring residents of sustained operations to rid the state of criminal elements. He also urged the public to support the police with credible information, assuring that such details would be treated with confidentiality,” she stressed.