Marine Police Foil Kidnap Plot, Recover Rifle, Speedboats In Akwa Ibom

Marine Police operatives in Oron Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State have foiled a suspected kidnapping operation by sea pirates, recovering a pump-action rifle, two speedboats and four outboard engines.

The operatives, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a joint operation with Marine Hunters at about 6:05am on Tuesday along the Calabar–Oron Channel, targeting a suspected criminal camp linked to a planned kidnapping operation.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this on Tuesday at the command headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo.

According to her, the operation was part of the command’s sustained efforts to prevent criminal activities and protect lives and property, particularly in riverine and coastal communities.

She said the suspects fled into the nearby shrub when the operatives arrived, leaving behind a Jojeef English pump-action rifle and two cartridges.

The police also recovered a white rope, two speedboats, three 200-horsepower outboard engines and one 15-horsepower outboard engine.

John said the recovered items had been secured and properly documented for further investigation.

She explained that the operation formed part of the command’s intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy aimed at identifying and dismantling criminal networks before they could execute their plans.

“The Command remains particularly focused on denying criminal elements the opportunity to exploit the State’s waterways as operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes,” she said.

The PPRO assured residents of riverine communities, boat operators, fishermen and other waterways users that the waterways remained calm and peaceful following the operation.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Baba Azare, commended the Marine Police operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective use of actionable intelligence.

Azare also praised the Marine Hunters for their support during the operation and urged them to sustain their cooperation with the police and other security agencies in protecting the state’s waterways and coastal communities.