Akwa Ibom state police command said it has apprehended two suspected kidnappers terrorizing the people of Etim Ekpo local government area of the state and rescued five kidnapped victims during a shootout with combined forces of the police and the Nigerian Army.
The state Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi, revealed this on Tuesday, September 27, in a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo.
He explained that the other suspects fled into the river during a gun duel.
The commissioner listed those arrested by the police to include one Thankgod Ezekiel Udo of Ikpe Annang and Imo Okarafor John a.k.a “Nkwokwo”.
Those rescued include Miss Blessing Elkanem, 19, Mr Kingsley Elkanem 23 and Mrs Chioma Gabriella 25, Mr Idorenyin Maurice Inim 23, and Mr Uko Clement 39.
He said they were rescued following an intelligence from a driver with Akwa Ibom Power Link Transit Company, one Victor Umana, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement in parts: “On 25th September, 2022 the Command received a report from one Victor Saturday Umana, driver of Akwa Ibom Power Link Transit Company based in Port Harcourt, that on the 23rd of September, 2022, being Friday, while conveying passengers from Port Harcourt to Uyo, that at about 9:21pm they were stopped at Abia Palm in Azumini by hoodlums who took over the steering and drove them to the bush, robbed them and kidnapped five of them.
“The five kidnapped victims were taken deep into the forest at Ikpe Annang in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, their hands were tied and eyes blindfolded and demanded for twenty million (20m) ransom each.
He said: “On 20th August, 2022 at about 7:15pm, a dangerous gang of armed robbers responsible for most robberies and car snatching within Uyo Metropolis attacked one Mr. Kelechi Orji and family along Nteps Supermarket by Oron road in Uyo, took him to ATM and forced him to withdraw all his available cash for them and took away his jeep also.
“I directed my SWAT Operatives to apprehend the perpetrators. On 10th September, 2022, SWAT Operatives professionally trailed the hoodlums who are notorious for terrorizing residents of Uyo and environs to their hid-out where a gun battle ensued, three of the gang members were fatally injured and gave up the ghost while on their way to the hospital but not before mentioning one Chima Omelazu, 45 years, from Obingwa Local Government Area in Abia State as a receiver.
“The said Chima was later arrested on the 15th of September, 2022.
“So far, a total of seven vehicles were recovered while efforts are ongoing to recover more.”