Maha Christopher
Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested a suspected drug baron and recovered suspected stolen items during a raid on a criminal hideout in Itu Local Government Area of the state.
According to The Punch, the suspect, identified as Ofonime Etim, was arrested during an intelligence led operation carried out in Ikot Ebom Itam as part of the command’s ongoing crackdown on criminal activities.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, said the operation targeted a location believed to have served as a base for drug traffickers, receivers of stolen property, vandals and other criminal elements operating within the community.
A search of the premises led to the recovery of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, packets of rolling papers, axes, machetes, vandalised electrical wires, bundles of roofing sheets, aluminium windows, cartons of provisions and beverages, sachet alcoholic drinks, a submersible water pump and several electrical appliances suspected to have been stolen.
John said preliminary investigations revealed that the location functioned as a major distribution centre for illicit drugs and a storage point for stolen property.
She added that community members commended the police for the operation, noting that the activities of the suspect and his associates had long posed a threat to residents.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that a village chairman identified the recovered submersible water pump as property belonging to the Ikot Ebom Itam Village Hall borehole facility, which had previously been reported stolen.
According to her, the suspect allegedly confessed to stealing the pump from the community facility during interrogation.
The command said investigations are ongoing to identify the owners of other recovered items, trace additional victims and arrest other members of the criminal network believed to be linked to the operation.
John noted that the suspect would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
She added that the Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking, vandalism, cultism and other criminal activities across the state through ongoing security operations.
