Police Raid Criminal Hideout, Arrest Suspects, Recover Firearm, Illicit Substances in Akwa Ibom

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested two suspects and recovered a firearm and suspected illicit substances during separate intelligence-led operations across the state.

The Command disclosed that the breakthrough followed ongoing efforts to clamp down on criminal elements in line with directives of the Inspector-General of Police.

In one of the operations conducted on April 10, 2026, at about 11:10 p.m., police operatives acting on credible intelligence raided a suspected criminal hideout at Ikot Ide Itak Village in Ikono Local Government Area. During the raid, a suspect identified as Cletus Etim was arrested.

Items recovered from him include a locally made pistol and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

In a related development, police operatives also arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Sunday Abraham, alleged to be involved in robbery activities in Ikot Otok Village, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area.

The arrest, which took place at about 5:45 p.m. on the same day, followed actionable intelligence indicating that the suspect was in possession of a firearm used in robbing residents in the area.

A search conducted on him led to the recovery of a toy pistol and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

The police said both suspects are currently in custody while investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal network.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-driven policing and urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information, assuring that all reports would be treated with strict confidentiality.