A'IBOM: Police neutralise 3 suspects in second kidnap attempt on clergyman

Police in Akwa Ibom state have killed three members of an armed gang during a return attack to kidnap a Reverend Father they once kidnapped and released on undisclosed ransom.

The Commissioner of Police, Akwa Ibom Command, CP Joseph Eribo, disclosed this Monday in Uyo where be paraded several suspects in police net for various incidents in recent breakthroughs of his Command since assuming office two weeks ago.

Highlighting some of the critical cases, CP Eribo told newsmen, "We have nuetralused three daredevil criminals notorious for kidnapping and other criminal acts. We have it on record that they once kidnapped a prominent Reverend Father, took him somewhere in this state and ransom was collected. 

"This time they were coming for a second mission to pick the Father again, because one informant told them that the target has a lot of money to give out. We acted on a very credible intelligence and we were able to nuetralise three of them.

"Another case involve a very brutal, deadly cult operating in the riverine area. This was the group that recently cut down three hunters (vigilante) in one of the villages (Unyenghe, Mbo Local Government Area) in the state. They beheaded them. 

"We recovered two of the bodies without their heads and the other we haven't seen till today. They told us they threw the body into the high sea. We got the No 3 man of that deadly gang. And he is confessing what they did. A terrible gang.

"There are other breakthroughs recorded, including two cases of unlawful possession of firearms with the arms recovered. There is also case of child stealing where children are taken from this state and sold outside for various amount including a child sold for N400,000 and another for N600,000. We have two women and other suspects with us."

The CP also mentioned a case of fake kidnap "where children wanting to extort their parents arranged own kidnap. The lid was blown off and we were able to apprehend them",  just as a dismissed Police Corporal was paraded for impersonating on uniform as a serving officer to extort people was also paraded.

"Only God knows how many people have fallen victim of his impersonation. A good Samaritan gave us the information on him doing those things a genuine policeman wouldn't do on uniform. That led to his arrest", the CP said.

On the Command's preparedness for October protest starting Tuesday, CP Eribo said, "This state (Akwa Ibom) is called a state of promise, so it is a state pf peace. The protest happened before and it was calm here. There was no untoward incident at all. 

"The Governor is doing so much to empower the youths in the state. And I don't see why anyone would go out to protest. It will amount to an afterthought. It didn't happen then, why will it happen now?

"But on our own we have deployed and positioned our men. You can see how they are kitted. We appeal to the public to ensure peace. To do otherwise will amount to an ill-wind that would do nobody no good.

"Genuine protest can be hijacked by criminals. And when that happens, even the protesters can become victims. So we are ready, working in synergy with our sister agencies.

On the coming Local Government elections Saturday, CP Eribo said, "We are deploying full strength for the exercise to ensure that there is peace till the end if it all. But we wish for peaceful elections, because no life is worth an election."