Police foil planned kidnapping, recover guns, speedboats in Akwa Ibom
September 9, 2026 12:06 am
Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command Timfon John.
By Emem Julius
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has foiled an alleged kidnapping operation in the Oron Local Government Area of the state, recovering firearms, ammunition, speedboats and outboard engines from a suspected criminal camp.
The command said the operation was carried out by operatives of the Marine Police, Oron, in collaboration with the Marine Hunters, following credible intelligence about a syndicate allegedly planning to abduct victims in the area.
The police said the raid was conducted at about 6:05am on Tuesday along the Calabar-Oron Channel.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.
According to the statement, the operatives targeted a suspected criminal camp as part of efforts to disrupt the activities of the syndicate before it could execute its plan.
The statement partly read, “The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has recorded a significant operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to prevent criminal activities and protect lives and property, particularly within the state’s riverine and coastal communities.
“At about 0605 hours on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, operatives of the Marine Police, Oron, acting on credible intelligence regarding a planned kidnapping operation within Oron, Akwa Ibom State, embarked on a joint intelligence-led operation with Marine Hunters to a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar-Oron Channel.”
Items recovered during the operation, according to the command, included one Jojeef English pump-action gun, two cartridges, one white rope suspected to be intended for criminal use, two speedboats, three 200-horsepower outboard engines and one 15-horsepower outboard engine.
The police said the recovered items had been secured for documentation and further investigation.
The command said the operation formed part of its intelligence-led strategy to identify and dismantle criminal networks before they could execute their plans, particularly those seeking to exploit the state’s waterways as operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes.
It assured residents, boat operators, fishermen and other waterway users that the area remained calm and peaceful following the operation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective use of intelligence, while also appreciating the Marine Hunters for their support.
Azare warned criminal elements operating across state boundaries that Akwa Ibom would not serve as a safe haven, staging ground or escape route for kidnappers, armed criminals or other perpetrators of violent crimes.
He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious persons, movements, vessels or activities to the police.
“The safety and security of Akwa Ibom State remain our collective responsibility. Therefore, members of the public are urged to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, persons, vessels or activities to the police,” Azare said.
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