By Ogenyi Ogenyi,Uyo
The police in Akwa Ibom have foiled an attempt by suspected kidnappers in the Eket area of the state.
This is even as it arrested a key suspect linked to several high-profile kidnapping cases in the state.
A statement from the Police Public Relations Officer,PPRO, Timfon John in Uyo yesterday said the action also led o the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of a cache of weapons.
According to the statement, “the police command received a distress call from a concerned citizen about a suspected kidnapping on Factory Road, Afia Nsit, Eket. Operatives immediately mobilized and responded to the scene.
“The victim (name withheld) was rescued. He told the Police he was about to drive into his home when four men attempted to force their way into his vehicle. The commotion and prompt arrival of the joint team caused the assailants to flee the scene.
“A pursuit was initiated, leading to the arrest of two suspects: one Okon Edem Okon, a resident of Oyoku, Urue-Offong/Oruko LGA, and Emmanuel Bassey, a resident of Udung-Uko LGA.
“Following the arrest, Operatives conducted a further search of an uncompleted building in a nearby bush, where they recovered a sack bag containing a significant cache of weapons and other items.”
The statement further said the kidnap kingpin, Okon Asuquo Udo, a male resident of Ube village in Okobo Local Government Area. Udo had been on the Command’s wanted list for his alleged involvement in multiple kidnap incidents.
“Investigations reveal that Udo is a principal suspect in the kidnap of a Paramount Ruler (name withheld) in October 2024 and the wife of an Executive Chairman (name withheld) in November 2024. He is also believed to have been a participant in several other kidnapping activities across the Oron, Mbo, and Okobo Local Government Areas.
“The suspect was sighted and arrested in his home village of Ube, Okobo LGA, after being on the run for several months.Discreet investigations are currently ongoing to apprehend other members of his gang and recover their operational weapons.” It said.
