News Investigators/ The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has apprehended 178 persons over suspected involvement in various crimes, and recovered 69 firearms in the progress.
The Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, said this at a press conference in Uyo on Monday while giving update on the crime situation in the state.
Mr Azare further said that in the month of May, the command rescued kidnap victims from their abductors.
He said that most of the suspects apprehended during the period were involved in armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms among others.
The police chief said that one of the major breakthroughs recorded within the period was the arrest of a suspected drug kingpin and four accomplices at Okobo Ebughu in Mbo Local Government Area.
Mr Azare said that during an operation at Okobo Ebughu, the command recovered 23 bags containing dried weeds suspected to be ‘hemp’
He said that the break through was achieved through intelligence-led policing, coordinated raids, strategic surveillance operations, stop-and-search exercises, and tactical interventions across identified black spots.
Mr Azare told criminal elements in the state that there would be no hiding place for involvement in robbery, kidnapping, cultism, drug trafficking, illegal possession of firearms, and other violent crimes.
He said that the command would continue to intensify intelligence gathering, tactical operations, patrol activities, and community policing initiatives to ensure sustained peace, safety, and protection of lives and property.
NAN
