Police probe soldier over suspected drug deal
A serving soldier is under police investigation after allegedly handing over bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp to a 63-year-old man for delivery and sale in Akwa Ibom State.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said the suspect, identified as Asuquo Etim of Etebi Village in Esit Eket Local Government Area, was arrested during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Command.
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Etim Ekpimah
A serving soldier is under police investigation after allegedly handing over bags of substances suspected to be Indian hemp to a 63-year-old man for delivery and sale in Akwa Ibom State.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command said the suspect, identified as Asuquo Etim of Etebi Village in Esit Eket Local Government Area, was arrested during an intelligence-led operation by operatives of the Command.
Police said the operation was carried out on Wednesday, May 20, 2026, at about 9:30 a.m. after credible intelligence revealed that a suspected drug trafficker was transporting bags of illicit substances from Atabong Park to Esit Eket.
Acting on the information, the Command deployed a surveillance and stop-and-search team, which intercepted and arrested the suspect.
A search conducted on him reportedly led to the recovery of two large bags containing substances strongly suspected to be Indian hemp.
According to the police, preliminary investigations revealed that the recovered exhibits were allegedly handed over to the suspect by a serving soldier for onward delivery and sale at Ibaka in Mbo Local Government Area.
The Command said discreet investigations had commenced to uncover the network behind the illicit drug supply chain and arrest other accomplices connected to the crime.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to intelligence-led policing and the crackdown on criminal activities across the state.
He warned individuals involved in drug trafficking and other criminal enterprises to desist or face the full weight of the law, stressing that Akwa Ibom would remain hostile to criminals and their collaborators.
The police also urged residents to continue providing timely and credible information to support ongoing operations against criminality in the state.
