Commissioner of Police Akwa Ibom State Command, CP Olatoye Durosinmi says operatives of the command in collaboration with Military Personnel have neutralized two suspected Kidnappers, while others escaped with bullet wounds into the river at Ikpe Annang in Etim Ekpo LGA of the state.
CP Durosinmi made this known to Journalists at a press briefing, Tuesday, held at the police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
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He pointed out that on 25th September, 2022 the Command received a report from one Victor Saturday Umana, driver of Akwa Ibom Power Link Transit Company based in Port Harcourt, that on the 23rd of September, 2022 being Friday, while conveying passengers from Port Harcourt to Uyo, that at about 9:21pm they were stopped at Abia Palm in Azumini by hoodlums who took over the steering and drove them to the bush, robbed them and kidnapped five of them.
“The five kidnapped victims were taken deep into the forest at Ikpe Annang in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, their about 9:21pm they were stopped at Abia Palm in Azumini by hoodlums who took over the steering and drove them to the bush, robbed them and kidnapped five of them.”
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“The five kidnapped victims were taken deep into the forest at Ikpe Annang in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, their hands were tied and eyes blindfolded and demanded for twenty million (20m) ransom each.”
The CP maintained that acting on credible intelligence, on 26th September, 2022 Operatives from Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo Divisions in conjunction with the Military, stormed their den, neutralized two of the kidnappers identified as Thankgod Ezekiel Udo of Ikpe Annang and Imo Okarafor John a.k.a “Nkwokwo” while others escaped with bullet wounds into the river.
He stated that Five victims who were found blindfolded were rescued, namely: Miss Blessing Elkanem aged 19yrs, Mr Kingsley Elkanem aged 23yrs, Mrs Chioma Gabriella aged 25yrs, Mr Idorenyin Maurice Inim aged 23yrs, and Mr Uko Clement aged 39 yrs.
He further stated that AK 47 magazine with ammunitions were recovered.
Similarly in the same vein he explained that on 20th August, 2022 at about 7:15pm, a dangerous gang of armed robbers responsible for most robberies and car snatching within Uyo Metropolis attacked one Mr. Kelechi Orji and family along Nteps Supermarket by Oron road in Uyo, took him to ATM and forced him to withdraw all his available cash for them and took away his jeep also.
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“I directed my SWAT Operatives to apprehend the perpetrators. On 10th September, 2022, SWAT Operatives professionally trailed the hoodlums who are notorious for terrorizing residents of Uyo and environs to their hid out where a gun battle ensued.
” Three of the gang members were fatally injured and gave up the ghost while on their way to the hospital but not before mentioning one Chima Omelazu, 45 years, from Obingwa Local Government Area in Abia State as a receiver. The said Chima was later arrested on the 15th of September, 2022.
The CP also explained, “So far, a total of seven vehicles were recovered while efforts are ongoing to recover more, namely: One Highlander Jeeps,
One Lexus GL 460 Jeep, One Toyota Rav4 Jeep,
One Lexus Jeep 350 model, One Toyota Camry and two others.”
CP Durosinmi called on owners of the Power Link Transit Company cars to contact the Akwa Ibom Police Command with proof of ownership and collection.
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“The Command under my watch will spare no resource in ensuring that we can bring those behind criminality in Akwa Ibom State to book.” he added.