MONDAY March 10, 2025 |TheNewsDESK
By Idorenyin UMORENBy Idorenyin UMOREN
Security Evaluator
The Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command had successfully neutralized members of a notorious kidnap syndicate responsible for a series of high-profile Kidnapping in Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, and surrounding areas of the state.
This is contained in a press released dated Monday, March 10, 2025 and signed by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Timfon John.
According to the release, “Acting on credible intelligence, a joint tactical team of the Command stormed multiple criminal hideouts at Ikpe Annang, Ikpe Ikot Akpan, and Ikot Inyang in Essien Udim LGA. Upon sighting the operatives, the suspects opened fire in a desperate bid to evade arrest. The gallant officers responded decisively, engaging them in a gun duel. At the end of the operation, all the five suspects sustained various degrees of injuries and were taken to hospital for medical treatment where one of them died while receiving treatment.
“The following items were recovered from them: One AK-47 rifle; One G3 rifle; One pump-action rifle; One locally made Dane gun, A bag of crayfish; One tambourine and An electric power amplifier.
Other items were: “One conga drum; Three GSM button phones; and Cash sum of Three Million One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Six Hundred Naira (₦3,130,600), believed to be ransom proceeds.”
According to the PPRO, further investigations is on going to arrest other fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare fsi, reiterated his firm stance against crime and criminality, warning that the state will remain a no-go area for kidnappers, armed robbers, and other criminal elements.
He commended the operatives for their bravery and urged residents to remain vigilant, cooperate with security agencies, and report suspicious activities promptly.
The Command assures the public that efforts will be intensified to ensure that Akwa Ibom State remains safe and secure for all law-abiding citizens.
