Police Neutralise Notorious Kidnapping Suspect, Recover Arms

Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command have smashed a kidnapping syndicate and successfully neutralised the gang leader in the ongoing offensive against criminal elements in the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP TImfon John, who disclosed this to journalists yesterday at the State Command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia near Uyo, the state capital, said the busting of the criminal gang and killing of the group leader, identified as one Ubong Akpan, 27, followed a superior intelligence from the local residents of Ikot Umiang community in Mkpat Enin local government area.

The police spokesperson, who warned those in the habit of perpetrating crimes of any sort in the state to rethink their actions, warned that the state has no safe haven for questionable characters. The spokesperson vowed that “there’s no place in anywhere in the state that the long arms of the law can’t get them.”

“The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has successfully neutralised a suspected notorious kidnapper and the recovery of firearms following an encounter with a criminal gang.

“Based on intelligence reports, the Police had been closely monitoring a group of kidnappers who had returned to the Mkpat Enin LGA.

“The gang, which had been terrorising residents from 2020 to 2023, was also allegedly responsible for the kidnap of a Church founder in 2023. The suspects had been at large since that incident.

“On August 2, 2025, at about 4:00 pm, the Police received a report that the suspects were at a hideout in Ikot Umiang village, planning further kidnappings.

“A surveillance team was immediately dispatched to the location. Upon the team’s arrival, the criminals engaged them by firing shots. Fortunately, no Police personnel was injured in the exchange.

“In a swift response, operatives neutralised one of the kidnappers, later identified as John Ubong Akpan, a 27-year-old from Ikot Umiang village. The other gang members fled the scene. A locally – made pistol, one live cartridge, and one expanded cartridge were recovered at the hideout.

“Akpan, who sustained bullet injuries, was taken to a hospital where he was confirmed dead by medical doctor.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, has directed intensified surveillance and patrols to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” she stressed.