Police Raid Suspected Kidnap Camp, Seize Boats and Weapons in Akwa Ibom

(Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command Timfon John. Photo by Punch News)

Police in Akwa Ibom State have stopped what they say was a kidn@pping operation in the Oron area after carrying out a raid on a suspected criminal camp.

Officers from the Marine Police working with local hunters acting on intelligence about a planned @bduction found weapons, ammunition, speedboats and boat engines during the early morning operation on Tuesday along the Calabar-Oron waterway.

The items seized included one pump-action g@n, two cartridges, a white rope suspected to be for criminal use, two speedboats, three 200-horsepower outboard engines and one 15-horsepower outboard engine.

Police said these items have been secured for further investigation.

The operation was part of the police's strategy to identify and break up criminal groups before they can carry out attacks, especially those using the state's waterways as hideouts or escape routes.

Police assured residents, boat operators and fishermen that the area remains calm and safe following the raid.

The state's Police Commissioner praised the officers for their professionalism and effective intelligence work and thanked the local hunters for their support.

He warned criminals operating across state borders that Akwa Ibom will not be a hiding place, launching pad or escape route for kidn@ppers, armed robbers or those carrying out violent crimes.

Police called on the public to stay alert and report any suspicious persons, movements, vessels or activities to authorities, saying that keeping the state safe is everyone's responsibility.