March 22, (THEWILL) — Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested four suspected criminals and recovered firearms and illicit drugs during coordinated raids in Eket and Okopedi areas of the state.
The operations, carried out on Friday evening, were said to be intelligence-driven and part of ongoing efforts by the Command to curb criminal activities.
According to a statement issued on Sunday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, the raid at a known criminal hideout in Okopedi led to the arrest of four male suspects: Paul Sunday, Nelson Ekpa, Akaninyene Valentine and Idongesit Harrison.
Items recovered from the suspects include tools associated with the preparation and consumption of illicit substances, as well as quantities of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice.”
In a separate operation at Abia Uduk Street in Ikot Ebok, police operatives responding to reports of suspicious activity reportedly dispersed a group of suspected hoodlums who fled on sighting the team.
During the pursuit, one of the fleeing suspects abandoned a bag later found to contain two locally made pistols and two live cartridges.
The Command said the suspects are currently in custody while investigations continue to determine their level of involvement in criminal activities.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to tackling crime, particularly the proliferation of illegal firearms and substance abuse.
He, however, urged residents to support security agencies with timely and credible information to aid ongoing operations.
