Police raid drug hotspots in Itu, arrest 18 suspects

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled suspected drug hideouts in Itu Local Government Area, arresting 18 suspects and recovering a large quantity of substances believed to be cannabis and other illicit drugs.

The operation was carried out on February 22, 2026, at about 11:20 pm, following credible intelligence that some locations in Oku Iboko Village and Mbak Community had become active drug distribution hubs linked to criminal activities in the area.

DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, said that the police, acting on the information, carried out a coordinated midnight raid on the identified locations.

She stated that during the operation, George Timothy and 17 others were arrested at the scene. A significant quantity of suspected illicit substances was recovered and secured as exhibits.

“Preliminary investigations indicate that the hideouts were being used as distribution points for narcotics, allegedly contributing to youth delinquency, violent crimes, and other social vices in the state. Police say investigations are ongoing to uncover the full extent of the network and apprehend other suspects still at large,” she said.

The Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, warned individuals and groups involved in drug trafficking and related crimes to desist immediately or face the full weight of the law.

He reaffirmed the command’s zero-tolerance stance on narcotics and criminality, stressing that intelligence-driven raids would continue across all local government areas until drug dens and criminal hideouts are dismantled.

The command also urged parents, community leaders, and residents to support ongoing operations by providing credible, actionable information and to ensure that anyone threatening the peace and safety of Akwa Ibom State would face swift action.

Further updates are expected as investigations continue.