Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have arrested four kidnappers in military uniform and rescued two kidnapped victims in Uyo.

Spokesperson of the command, ASP Timfon John, who disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, May 26, 2024, said the suspects were apprehended by operatives who swiftly responded to distressed calls.

“The Command received distress calls giving notification of a kidnap incident at Utang Street by Gibbs Street, Uyo,” the statement read.

“The Command’s Anti-Robbery Squad (ARS) immediately swung into action and mobilised to the scene where four suspects namely; Abdulkarem Yusuf, Yusuf Waziri, Inbinabo Iboroma, and Abdulrahman Abbas, were arrested,”

The PPRO said preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had earlier kidnapped one Abraham Ekpe at Ring Road 3, opposite Cemetery.

She disclosed that the gang members were arrested on the verge of kidnapping one Richie, who is a friend of Ekpe. 

“They planned to take them to the Odukpani LGA in the neighbouring Cross River State. Further investigation also revealed that they had demanded a ransom of N5 million from their victim, but he could not pay, prompting them to also kidnap his friend

“The victims were all rescued successfully and have been reunited with their families.”

One red colour Honda Accord car with registration number BJ 615 ABC; one handcuff, one dagger and other items were recovered from the suspects.

The PPRO added that the suspects will be charged in court upon completion of the investigation.

Timfon said the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, has vowed to rid the state of all criminal elements in his quest to make Akwa Ibom safe for visitors, tourists and investors.

The CP also reiterated the Command’s unwavering commitment to making Akwa Ibom uninhabitable for criminals.

He further admonished members of the public to report any suspicious characters around their neighbourhoods to the police.