The police in Akwa Ibom State have rescued Mr Otobong Ukpong, an employee of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) kidnapped on June 5 on his way to work, a minor and seven others.
The Commissioner of Police, Mr Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, said in Uyo yesterday that the police with other security agencies about noon flushed out some hoodlums terrorising Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas (LGAs) and rescued nine kidnap victims.
โToday, I am delighted to inform you that at about 12 p.m. my men of โOperation Purgeโ saddled with responsibility of flushing out the hoodlums terrorising Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun LGAs achieved a great breakthrough.
โThey rescued nine kidnapped victims one of whom is the staff of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mr Otobong Sylvester Ukpong, 34 years old, from Iwukem in Etim Ekpo kidnapped on June 5, 2018,โ the commissioner said.
He identified the other victims as Eno Udo โMโ 50 years, Eno Okon โFโ 37 years, Uduak Fred โFโ 45 years, Charity PeterโFโ 54 years.
Others are Bessy Okpon โFโ 55 years, Esther Okpon โFโ 35 years, Victoria Udo โFโ 50 years and Imaobong โFโ 14 years.
The commissioner said on Thursday the police also rescued an unknown lady who was still in comma, adding that the rescue operation led to the death of one gallant policeman, Sgt. Shedrach Stephen.
He said that during the operation, the police also recovered from the hoodlums bullet proof vests, police and military uniforms, live ammunition, cartridges and charms.
Ogumjemilusi said that the command was committed to sustain the tempo in crime fighting and protection of lives and property in Akwa Ibom.
โLet me again assure the good people of Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun LGAs of our commitment to restore peace and security to their communities and every other community in Akwa Ibom,โ he said.
He commended the government and people of Akwa Ibom for their support to the police and other security agencies toward reducing crime to the barest minimum.
The INEC worker, Ukpong, said he was kept in the bush and fed once a day by his abductors.
He thanked God, the security agencies and the people for their prayers throughout the period of his incarceration.
