The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has arrested five suspects following a raid on a suspected criminal hideout in Mbak Itam, Ikot Mbang, in Itu Local Government Area.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Wednesday.
According to John, police operatives carried out the targeted operation at about 4 p.m. on Tuesday as part of efforts to clamp down on criminal activities in the area.
She said five suspects were apprehended during the raid for their alleged involvement in the distribution and sale of controlled substances, while other occupants of the hideout escaped.
Items recovered from the suspects included large quantities of substances suspected to be cannabis sativa, tramadol, loud and Ice, as well as ₦42,000 believed to be proceeds from illicit drug sales.
John explained that the operation was conducted under the command’s ongoing “zero black spot” initiative, which is aimed at identifying and dismantling locations used as bases for criminal activities.
She added that the police would continue to carry out intelligence-driven operations against individuals using secluded areas to engage in drug trafficking, cultism and other violent crimes.
The police spokesperson urged residents to remain vigilant and provide credible information that could help security agencies prevent and detect criminal activities across the state.