The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has dismantled a kidnap gang causing havoc in Ikot Ekpene and Essien Udim communities.
Spokesperson of the command, DSP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, March 9, 2025, said police operatives k!lled one of the suspects during a gun duel, arrested four others and recovered arms as well as N3.1m suspected to be ransom proceeds.
“In a sustained effort to rid Akwa Ibom State of criminal elements, operatives of the Command successfully neutralized members of a notorious kidnap syndicate responsible for a series of high-profile kidnappings in Ikot Ekpene, Essien Udim, and surrounding areas of the state,” the statement read.
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 the 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, an electric power amplifier, one conga drum, a three GSM button phones and cash sum of Three Million One Hundred and Thirty Thousand Six Hundred Naira (N3,130,600), believed to be ransom proceeds.
Further investigations are ongoing 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.”
