Fear-stricken residents of Eket local government area and their environs in Akwa Ibom State have cause to smile as some kidnap suspects in the oil-rich city had met their Waterloo.
The Akwa Ibom Police Command is said to have dismantled a kidnap gang that terrorised the area and ferried victims to their hide-outs to bargain for ransoms.
Straightnews reported on October 26 that Mrs. Glory Ekerenam, the wife of an ExxonMobil’s staffer in Eket had abducted by unidentified gunmen.
The Akwa Ibom Police-Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon in a press release dated November 1 said “On 17th October, 2019, at about 8:45 p.m, the Akwa Ibom Police Command, under the leadership of CP Zaki Ahmed, received a report from one Samuel Ekerenam of Ikot Udoma road in Eket Local Government Area that his wife, one Mrs Glory Samuel Ekerenam, 44 years old, of same address was abducted to unknown destination and a ransom of 20 million demanded.”
The release entitled RESCUE OF KIDNAPPED VICTIM said “The Commissioner of Police who was miffed at the development mobilised and directed his Officers and Men to ensure that the victim was recused unhurt. The Command has since then worked tirelessly to achieve the said goal.
“The pressure mounted by the Command and her allies yielded positive result as men of the IGP Special Tactical Squad, in a coordinated operation with Area Commander Eket and other support teams of the Command successfully rescued the victim from the den of her abductors on the 30th of October unhurt at Ikot Ubo Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.”
According to him, “During the rescue operation, six of the hoodlums who investigations revealed are responsible for kidnappings in Eket and Environs met their Waterloo while exchanging gunfire with the Police. Two locally made revolver pistols, six live ammunitions and one expended were recovered.
“While concerted efforts are on to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and bring them to book, the Commissioner of Police has reiterated the resolve of the Command on zero tolerance for kidnapping and other violent crimes in the State and is therefore calling on all peace loving Akwa Ibomites to be vigilant, eschew crime in all ramifications and report suspicious elements and perpetrators of any form of criminality in the State to the nearest Police station or other security agencies.
“The Commissioner of Police is particularly appreciative of the unique efforts of the IGP’s Special Tactical Squad, commanded by SP JULIAN IGBUDU , the Government and good people of the State for their continued support, especially that of the Chairman of Eket Local Government Area, HON FRANK ARCHIBONG who has shown sustained commitment in the fight against heinous crimes in Eket and its environs,” the release added.
