DSS Smashes Kidnap Ring, Arrests 4 In Akwa Ibom

Operatives of the Akwa Ibom Command of the Department of State Services (DSS), at the weekend declared they have destroyed a kidnapping ring and apprehended four kidnap suspects in the raid.

A senior official of the Department, who disclosed this to Journalists in Uyo, the state capital, attributed the breakthrough to what he described as “the anti- crime disposition of the new State Director, Dr. Doyin Adetuberu, since his assumption of office in January.”

He listed the suspects to include Idris Abdullahi, Attah Ekong, Itoro Edet Effiong and Nsisong Edet Effiong, who, according to him, were arrested between 16 and 28 February, 2024.

He said: “The quartet are part of notorious syndicate which have been terrorizing the State and masterminded several kidnap incidents in recent times, particularly the abduction of Ayo Bambe, the Manager of Me Lounge, at Osongama Estate, Uyo and two others on 27th January, 2024.

“Investigation by the Command led to the arrest of Abdullahi, the driver of the syndicate in Port Harcourt, River State along with Toyota Sienna vehicle used in the operation, on 16th February, 2024.

“Ekong, was apprehended at Otua Sega community of Ogbia Local Government Area in Bayelsa State on 26th February, 2024, while the duo of Itoro and Nsisong, two siblings, were arrested in their residence at Mbak Etoi, in Uyo LGA, on 28th February, 2024,” the official said.

He disclosed that the four suspects, during investigations, confessed to their involvement in the kidnap of the three victims at Me – Lounge, and other attacks across the state.

“Consequently, the arraignment of the suspects by the Command at the Federal High Court Uyo, has commenced, while a manhunt for other fleeing members is still ongoing,” the DSS said.