POLICE ARREST 23, SEIZE DRUGS IN AKWA IBOM CRIMINAL HIDEOUT RAID
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By: Muftau Fatimo
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have raided several criminal hideouts in Ibaka, Mbo Local Government Area, leading to the arrest of 23 suspects.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Uyo, the command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said substantial quantities of suspected illicit drugs and other substances were recovered during the operation.
According to the statement, the arrests followed raids on identified criminal hotspots carried out on credible intelligence between Wednesday, February 5, and Thursday, February 6, 2026.
The police added that investigations are ongoing to establish the suspects’ level of involvement in criminal activities and to track down other members of the drug network operating in the area.
“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a major operational success following a coordinated raid of identified criminal black spots within Ibaka Fishing Port, resulting in the arrest of 23 male suspects and the recovery of large quantities of suspected illicit drugs and other criminal exhibits.
“Between Wednesday, February 5, 2026, and Thursday, February 6, 2026, operatives, acting on credible information, carried out a strategic night operation targeting criminal hideouts within the Ibaka axis.
“During the raid, operatives searched several identified black spots at the Ibaka Fishing Port, leading to the arrest of one Sampson Newstyle (M), Godgift Benabinte (M), Michael Asukwo (M), Prince Ene (M), Goodnews Asukwo (M), Golden Edu (M), and 17 other suspects.
“Exhibits recovered during the operation include large commercial quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp, chemically enhanced variants of suspected Indian hemp, illicit locally brewed drinks, and containers and devices used for inhaling hard drugs.
“Investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the suspects’ involvement in criminal activities and to identify other individuals connected to the drug network operating within the area,” the statement said.
The command reiterated its zero-tolerance stance against drug abuse, trafficking and criminality, adding that sustained intelligence-led operations would continue across the state until all criminal black spots are dismantled.
It assured members of the public that the Ibaka axis remains calm, with enhanced patrols and surveillance in place to prevent any resurgence of criminal activities.
The media had earlier reported that the Akwa Ibom State Police Command announced the recovery of a large cache of live ammunition last Sunday, along with the arrest of a suspect linked to the consignment and others accused of obstructing lawful police operations.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the recovery occurred on January 23, 2026, at about 11 p.m., when police operatives conducting routine stop-and-search operations along the Calabar–Itu Highway intercepted a commercial bus with registration number ARR 600 ZY en route to Calabar.
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