By Abdullahi Inuwa
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has intensified its crackdown on criminal hideouts across the state, with operatives raiding a suspected criminal den in Uruan Local Government Area and arresting two persons over suspected involvement in illicit drug activities.
The operation, carried out in the early hours of Wednesday, September 9, 2026, followed intelligence received by the Command concerning alleged criminal activities taking place at a hideout in Idu Uruan Village.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, operatives moved swiftly on the information and conducted a coordinated raid on the location at about 1:30 a.m.
The operation resulted in the arrest of Fortune Effiong, a male, and Comfort Effiong, a female, who were taken into police custody for questioning.
Police said a search of the premises also led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Cannabis sativa.
The recovered substances were suspected to have been kept for distribution and consumption, although investigations are ongoing to establish their source, intended recipients and the extent of the suspects’ involvement.
The operation forms part of the Command’s renewed efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and black spots identified as potential centres for drug trafficking, cult-related activities and other forms of organised crime.
Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, commended the officers involved in the operation for what he described as their courage, professionalism and dedication to duty.
The Commissioner subsequently directed the investigating team to pursue the case to its logical conclusion and ensure that all necessary steps are taken in accordance with the law.
The Command said it was particularly concerned about the growing threat posed by illicit drug activities, stressing that the distribution and abuse of narcotic substances could have serious consequences for public safety, particularly among young people.
According to the Police, criminal networks involved in the drug trade can also fuel other forms of crime and undermine the peace and security of communities.
CP Azare reiterated his determination to prevent Akwa Ibom from becoming a safe haven for criminals, drug dealers, cultists, violent offenders and other individuals whose activities threaten law-abiding residents.
He warned that the Command would sustain intelligence-driven operations aimed at identifying and dismantling criminal networks operating across the state.
The Police Commissioner also appealed to residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies by providing credible and timely information about suspicious activities in their communities.
The Command assured members of the public that information supplied to the Police would be handled with the necessary confidentiality and deployed to strengthen ongoing security operations.
The latest raid underscores the Police Command’s continuing push to take the fight against illicit drugs and criminal hideouts closer to the communities where such activities are suspected to occur.
The two suspects remain in police custody as investigation continues.
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