Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command at Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo, the state capital, have busted a four – man kidnapping syndicate and apprehended four suspects in military uniforms, LEADERSHIP gathered at the weekend.
Parading the suspects, the commissioner of police (CP), Waheed Ayilara, vowed to rid the state of all criminal elements in his quest to making the state safe for visitors, tourists and investors.
The CP, who spoke through the command’s public relations officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John, said the suspects were caught in the act and rounded up by operatives of the command, 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 Command’s Anti-Robbery Squad (ARS) immediately swung into action and mobilized to the scene where four suspects namely: Abdulkarem Yusuf, Yusuf Waziri, Inbinabo Iboroma and Abdulrahman Abbas , were arrested.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had earlier kidnapped one Abraham Ekpe at Ring Road 3, opposite Cemetery. The gang members were arrested while they were on the verge of kidnapping one Richiie, friend to their victim, identified as Abraham Ekpe.
“Their plan was to take them to the Odukpani LGA in the neihbouring 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,” he said.According to the CP one red colour Honda Accord car with registration number BJ 615 ABC; one handcuff, one dagger and other items were recovered, adding that “the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of investigation.”
The CP, however, reiterated the command’s unwavering commitment to making Akwa Ibom uninhabitable for criminals and admonished members of the public to report suspicious characters around their neighbourhoods to the police.
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