Police Command in Akwa Ibom on Friday, said it has rescued two abducted persons and recovered firearms in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of the State.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement to newsmen in Uyo.
She said the command received credible intelligence on April 15, at about 8:19 p.m., indicating that some individuals from Edem Idim Okpot Village had attacked indigenes of Odoro Atasung Village.
The spokesperson said that the rescued victims had gone to harvest palm fruits in a swampy area allegedly in dispute, adding that during the attack, two persons were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.
John said that both victims were however, rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with their families.
“Acting promptly on the information, operatives of the command stormed the suspected hideout of the abductors in the early hours of April 16, at about 6:10 a.m.
“On sighting the Police, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning their captives.
“During the operation, one locally made short gun and a live cartridge were recovered from the scene,” she said
John said preliminary investigations revealed that the incident was connected to a long-standing dispute over ownership of the palm fruit plantation, currently pending before a court.
She said that efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
The PPRO said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mr Baba Azare, cautions parties involved in the dispute, to avoid resorting to self-help and allow the law take its course.
“The command reiterates its commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state, and assures residents that decisive action will be taken against anyone found culpable,” she said. (NAN)
