Police Arrest Two Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Victims In Akwa Ibom State

The police in Akwa Ibom State have arrested two suspected kidnappers, Francis Bassey Ekpo and Ezekiel Nse Okon, from Ikpanya in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area, for the alleged kidnapping of three persons and demanding a ransom of N3m.

The suspects, both male , belong to a kidnapping group known as ‘Oyobio’ reportedly mentioned one Eseme Ikpebe as their kingpin who is currently on the run.

Both Ekpo and Okon were among other suspected criminals paraded by the Akwa Ibom Police Command for various crimes ranging from theft of electric cables, cultism and sodomy.

Baba Mohammed Azare, commissioner of police, Akwa Ibom State command who disclosed this while parading the suspects said the victims were rescued unhurt.

According to the police commissioner, “On 10th January, at about 0300hrs Operatives of the Command based on credible information arrested One Francis Bassey Ekpo ‘m’ and Ezekiel Nse Oko ‘m’ both of Ikpanya village in Ibiono Ibom LGA who kidnapped 3 victims (name withheld) all of Ikpanya village in Ibiono Ibom LGA and demanded for five million naira (5,000,000.00) ransom before victims could be released.

“Following concerted effort by the police the victims were rescued unhurt both suspects confessed to belonging a “Oyobio ” kidnapping group and mentioned one Eseme Ikpebe ‘m’ as their kingpin effort is ongoing to arrest the kingpin and other members who are currently on the run, ” he said.

He disclosed the command arrested the total number of 10 tricycles operators operating in Ewet Housing Estate in Uyo have been arrested between the hours of 1:30am to 3 am in the morning adding that the tricycles “operators specialize in conveying items stolen from the estate for the criminals, some equally operate during these hours mainly to either rob residents, steal generators and other valuables from the residents or vandalize transformers and also steal armored cables.”

He warned criminals that “Akwa Ibom State will no longer be a safe haven,’” adding that the command would continue to pursue them until they tow the path of honour advising the people to report any suspicious person or movement in their areas to the police.

Police Arrest Two Suspected Kidnappers, Rescue Victims In Akwa Ibom State is first published on The Whistler Newspaper