Police neutralize notorious kidnap gang, recover  firearms in Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has neutralized a notorious kidnapping syndicate responsible for a series of high-profile kidnappings in Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, and surrounding areas. 

This was disclosed in a statement by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, on Monday. 

According to the statement, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence, stormed multiple criminal hideouts at Ikpe Annang, Ikpe Ikot Akpan, and Ikot Inyang in the Essien Udim Local Government Area.

SolaceBase reports that upon sighting the operatives, the suspects opened fire in an attempt to evade arrest, but security personnel engaged them in a gun duel. 

At the end of the operation, five suspects sustained injuries and were taken to the hospital, where one of them died while receiving treatment. 

Read Also:Police arrest Church member for alleged kidnap of 2 Reverend Fathers

Items recovered from the gang included an AK-47 rifle, a G3 rifle, a pump-action rifle, a locally made Dane gun, and a cash sum of N3,130,600, suspected to be ransom proceeds. 

The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to eradicating crime and warned criminals to stay away from the state.

He commended the officers for their bravery and urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities. 

The Command assured the public that efforts are ongoing to track down fleeing suspects and ensure Akwa Ibom remains safe for all law-abiding citizens.