Rita Odafe
A former Shell Petroleum Company employee was taken captive on June 17, 2024, by four armed individuals dressed in military gear, but swift action by the Akwa Ibom State Police command led to their rescue.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Timfon John, announced in a statement that the 63-year-old victim was found unharmed in Ikot Udobong village in Etim Ekpo local government area following a successful operation based on intelligence gathering.
In the operation, one of the suspected kidnappers was fatally wounded during a confrontation with the police and later pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
The Police representative mentioned, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command successfully rescued a victim who had been kidnapped and held against their will.
On June 22, 2024, precise information on the retired Shell Petroleum Company staff member (name withheld), aged 63, who was taken on June 17, 2024, by four unidentified armed persons in military attire, led the Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CP Waheed Ayilara, to direct the SWAT team to take immediate action.”
“Upon detecting the presence of the police, the abductors opened fire. During the exchange of gunfire, one suspect sustained severe injuries, and the others managed to escape.
“The wounded suspect was transported to a medical facility where he was confirmed deceased. The victim was rescued unharmed in a property at Ikot Udobong Village in Etim Ekpo LGA.”
Initial inquiries revealed that the kidnappers had demanded a ransom of #50 million initially, which was later reduced to #20 million, but no ransom was paid at the time of the rescue. Efforts are underway to track down the escaped suspects.
The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, CP Waheed Ayilara, reiterated the commitment of the command to eradicating crime and criminal elements within the state.
The CP expressed gratitude to the residents of Akwa Ibom for their support to the command and encouraged them to report any suspicious activities or individuals to the Police via the command’s emergency hotline 09040000065, 08020913810, or by visiting the nearest police station.”
