Monday August 4, 2025
TheNewsDESK |
By Idorenyin UMOREN
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has announced the successful neutralization of a suspected notorious kidnapper and the recovery of a firearm following an encounter with a criminal gang, the Command’s Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Timfon John said in a Press Release dated Monday August 4, 2025, in Uyo.
The Release stated, “Based on intelligence reports, the police had been closely monitoring a group of kidnappers who had returned to the Mkpat Enin local government area.
“The gang, which had been terrorizing residents from 2020 to 2023, was also allegedly responsible for the kidnap of a church founder in 2023. The suspects had been at large since that incident.
“On August 2, 2025, at approximately 4:00 PM, the police received a report that the suspects were at a hideout in Ikot Umiang village, planning further kidnappings. A surveillance team was immediately dispatched to the location. Upon the team’s arrival, the criminals engaged them by firing shots. Fortunately, no police personnel was injured in the exchange.
“In a swift response, operatives neutralized one of the kidnappers, later identified as John Ubong Akpan, a 27-year-old male from Ikot Umiang village. The other gang members fled the scene. A locally made pistol, one live cartridge, and one expanded cartridge were recovered at the hideout.
“Akpan, who sustained bullet injuries, was taken to a hospital where he was confirmed dead by medical Doctor.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, fsi, has directed intensified surveillance and patrols to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” the release concluded.
