By Augustine Ehikioya
Clamping down on criminal elements in Akwa Ibom State, operatives of the Police Command have 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.
Acting on credible intelligence, a joint tactical team of the Command had stormed multiple criminal hideouts at Ikpe Annang, Ikpe Ikot Akpan, and Ikot Inyang in Essien Udim Local Government Area (LGA).
A statement by DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Command, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said the suspects opened fire in a desperate bid to evade arrest when they sighted the operatives.
It added “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.
Items recovered from them included One AK-47 rifle, One G3 rifle, One pump-action rifle, One locally made Dane gun, A bag of crayfish, One tambourine, An electric power amplifier, One conga drum, Three GSM button phones.
Also recovered from the suspects was cash sum of Three Million One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Six Hundred Naira (₦3,130,600), believed to be ransom proceeds.
The statement disclosed that further investigations is on going to arrest other fleeing suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, it said, has 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 also assured the public that efforts will be intensified to ensure that Akwa Ibom State remains safe and secure for all law-abiding citizens.