Seven kidnapped persons from Ukanafun local government area of Akwa Ibom State were, Sunday, rescued by men of ‘Operation Purge’.
The persons kidnapped from The Apostolic Faith Church, Nkek on August 17, this year at 9 a.m. while they were having a tarry night and others from their homes on August 18 and 19 respectively were taken by the hoodlums to their deadly camp in Okoyo village in Ukanafun.
This is even as the ‘Operation Purge’ comprising the Army, police and Department of State Services, DSS, freed nine persons last week including Otobong Sylvester Ukpong, an INEC official serving in Ukanafun INEC office, seven women from Ikot Inyang Abia in Ukanafun and one man from Ikot Esop in Etim Ekpo local government area.
Briefing the press on Monday, August 20 at the State Police Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo local government area, DSP Odiko MacDon, the Akwa Ibom Police Public Relations Officer said on Sunday, August 19, 2018, men of ‘Operation Purge’ invaded the camp of the hoodlums and engaged them in a fierce shoot-out, leading to the death of of a gang member whose identity is unknown and the recovery of a G3 rifle with 19 rounds of live ammunition.
MacDon speaking on behalf of Adeyemi Ogunjemmilusi, Akwa Ibom Police Commissioner of Police, appreciated theArmy and DSS ‘’in our fight against crime and criminality in the state.
‘’Let me assure the good people of Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun and every Akwa Ibom that the command is committed to the restoration of peace, security and order in Etim Ekpo, Ukanafun and every part of the state,’’ he said.
Among those rescued were Utip Johnny Okpor, 48 years old; Uduakobong Mbet Matthew, 16 years; Ibong Dickson Ukowo, 52 years; Sunday Alexander Ikiwoho, 50 years old; Ekabom Udo Udo; Comfort Hope Udo, 16 years all of Nkek village as well as Elder Eme Tom Udoh, 65 years old of Ikot Essien currently receiving treatment for matchete injury.
