A 63-year-old retired worker, whose name has been withheld, has been rescued from the hands of kidnappers by operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command, News About Nigeria reports.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, in a statement on Monday.
She noted that the victim is a retired Shell Petroleum Company worker, adding that he was kidnapped on the 17th of June, 2024, by four unknown armed men dressed in military camouflage.
She stated that the victim had been rescued unhurt in Ikot Udobong village in the Etim Ekpo local government area following due intelligence.
She also disclosed that one of the suspected kidnappers, who sustained injuries from a gunshot when the gang engaged the police in a gun duel, was later confirmed dead when rushed to the hospital.
According to Timfon John, the operation commenced after the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CP Waheed Ayilara, ordered the SWAT operatives of the command to immediately swing into action.
“On 22/06/2024 following intelligence information available at the command’s disposal about the whereabouts of a retired Shell Petroleum Company worker, (name withheld) ‘M’ 63 years old, who was kidnapped on 17/06/2024 by four unknown armed men dressed in military camouflage, the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CP Waheed Ayilara had ordered the SWAT operatives of the command to immediately swing into action.
“Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers started firing at them. During the ensuing gun duel, one of the kidnappers sustained serious gunshot injuries, while others escaped.
“The injured suspect was taken to a hospital, where he was confirmed dead. The victim was rescued unhurt in a compound located at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo LGA,” she stated.
She further noted that, upon preliminary investigations, it was discovered that the kidnappers had initially demanded a N50 million ransom but later agreed to N20 million.
Timfon John, however, stated that no ransom was paid at the time of the rescue, adding that efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.
