Ten suspected kidnappers have been nabbed by the police in A/Ibom State.
This in addition to 69 other suspected criminals arrested by the police in Akwa Ibom State in January this year.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Olatoye Durosinmi stated this at a news conference at Police headquarters on Friday.
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“The greatest achievement within the last one month is the arrest of 10 confessed kidnappers , who were planning to unleash mayhem on the state and recovery of four AK Riffles.
“On Jan. 16, 2024 about 3:45pm, operatives of Ibiono Ibom Division, relying on credible intelligence stormed Ibiaku Ikot Oku community forest, where over 15 heavily armed suspects were camping and engaged them in gun duel.
“Some of the suspects absconded with bullet wounds while four of them were arrested and one AK 47 riffle recovered.
“This January alone, 79 criminal elements have been arrested for various crimes.
“Swift follow up of operation by the Anti-Robbery unit of the command led to further arrest of six suspects and the recovery of three more AK 47 riffles,” Durosinmi said.
The commissioner of police said that the suspects came from neighbouring states to cause havoc in Akwa Ibom.
Durosinmi added that the suspects confessed that they were planning and monitoring to kidnap an expatriate involved in the construction work along Calabar-Itu Highway.
The commissioner added the suspects will be charged to Court as soon as investigations are concluded.
He thanked the good people of Akwa Ibom and solicited for cooperation and information to ensure criminal elements were arrested.
The commissioner commended other security agencies for cooperation, collaboration and support to keep Akwa Ibom safe.
