Police neutralise kidnap kingpin, sea pirate in Akwa Ibom, recover weapons

The Police Command in Akwa Ibom says it has neutralised a suspected kidnap kingpin and sea pirate.

ASP Timfon John, the State Police Public Relations Officer, announced this to newsmen in Uyo on Thursday. She said that the suspect was neutralised on Wednesday during a gun battle with operatives of the command in his hideouts of Uyanga Community in Cross River.

She said that one G3 rifles with four live ammunition were recovered from the suspect. She also said that the suspect’s remains had been deposited at the morgue while investigations with the intent to arrest other members of the gang were ongoing.

“The suspect, a gang leader of bling marine strike force terrorising Uruan/Oron waterways, was responsible for the kidnapping of a High Court Judge and the killing of her Police Orderly.

“The kingpin was also responsible for the gruesome murder of the owner of another prominent person in the state and the kidnapping of his sales representative, among other persons,” she said.

She said that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Waheed Ayilara, had reassured Akwa Ibom’s residents of the determination of the command to make the state safe and secure for business to thrive. Ayilara, therefore, called on Akwa Ibom people to report all suspicious movements to the police.