Troops rescue five kidnap victims at Abia Palm in A’Ibom community

Akpan Umoh, Uyo

The troops of the 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army (NA) have rescued five kidnap victims at Abia Palm in Ekpe community of Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom and arrested two suspects.

The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Samuel Akari revealed this in a statement to our correspondent in Uyo on Tuesday.

According to Akari, the raid and rescue operation was carried out Monday morning based on credible intelligence on the hideout and activities of the kidnapping syndicate at Abia Palm in Ika LGA of the state.

According to him, the operation was carried out in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Akwa Ibom Command.

He noted that during the operation, the leader of the kidnapping syndicate escaped with an AK 47 rifle while two members of the gang were arrested.

“Troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA) in conjunction with personnel of the Nigeria Police have rescued five kidnapped victims in the early hours of Monday, Sept. 26, at Abia Palm in Epe community of Etim Ekpo LGA of Akwa Ibom State.

“The raid and rescue operation was carried out based on credible information on the hide-out and activities of the kidnapping syndicate at Abia Palm.

“During the operation, the leader of the kidnapping syndicate simply identified as Jean Nas escaped with an AK 47 rifle, while two other members of the syndicate, Imo Nkwo aged 23 and Thankgod Ezekiel aged 24, who attempted to escape were immobilized and arrested and their camp set ablaze,” Akari said.

Akari said that preliminary investigation has revealed that on Sept. 23, the victims boarded a commercial bus from PortHarcourt en route to Ikot Ekpene before the kidnappers hijacked the bus to their camp at Abia Palm in Epe community of Etim Ekpo LGA of the state.

He added the rescued victims, exhibits and arrested kidnappers had been handed over to the Nigeria Police for further action, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing kidnapping syndicate leader.

He urged members of the public to always provide security agencies in the state with timely information on the activities of kidnappers and other criminals in the state for prompt action.