By our correspondent
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have raided a suspected criminal hideout in Idu Uruan Village, Uruan Local Government Area, arresting two suspected drug dealers and recovering a large quantity of substances believed to be Indian hemp and Cannabis sativa.
The early-morning operation, carried out at about 1:30 a.m. on September 9, 2026, was part of the Command’s ongoing intelligence-led crackdown on criminal “black spots” across the state, according to a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John.
The suspects arrested during the raid were identified as Fortune Effiong, male, and Comfort Effiong, female. Police said both were apprehended at the scene following a coordinated operation based on credible intelligence about criminal activities at the location.
“A thorough search conducted during the operation led to the recovery of substantial quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp and Cannabis sativa, believed to have been intended for distribution and consumption,” the statement read.
The raid was carried out under the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, who has made the dismantling of criminal hideouts and a zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking a priority since assuming office.
CP Azare commended the operatives for what he described as courage, professionalism and commitment to duty, and directed that the investigation be pursued to its logical conclusion.
The Commissioner noted that the Command remains particularly concerned about the activities of individuals and criminal networks involved in the illicit distribution of narcotic substances, citing the “devastating consequences of drug abuse on public safety, youth development and the overall security of communities.”
“Akwa Ibom State will not be allowed to become a safe haven for criminals, drug dealers, cultists, violent offenders or other elements whose activities threaten the peace and security of law-abiding citizens,” CP Azare said in the release.
The latest operation in Uruan adds to a series of recent raids by the Akwa Ibom Police Command targeting drug peddlers and organized crime groups in both urban and rural communities.
It was learnt that drug trafficking has increasingly become linked to other violent crimes, including cultism and armed robbery, making it a key focus for law enforcement in the state.
Idu Uruan Village, a semi-rural settlement in Uruan LGA, has in the past been mentioned in community security meetings as an area prone to illicit activities due to its proximity to bush paths and waterways. Residents have repeatedly called for increased police presence to curb the trade and use of hard drugs among youths.
Police authorities say the intelligence that led to the raid came from members of the public, a development the Command described as critical to its success.
In the statement, the Police urged residents to remain vigilant and to provide timely information on suspicious activities in their neighborhoods. It assured that such information would be treated with “the requisite confidentiality and used to strengthen ongoing security operations.”
“We cannot do this alone. The support of law-abiding citizens is essential in identifying and uprooting these criminal elements before they can harm our communities,” DSP John stated on behalf of the Commissioner.
Both suspects are currently in custody and are helping with investigations. Police said they will be charged to court upon completion of investigations.
The recovery and arrests come amid renewed nationwide efforts by security agencies to disrupt drug supply chains, with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and state commands stepping up operations ahead of the end-of-year period when drug-related offenses often spike.
