The Akwa Ibom State Police Command says it has foiled a suspected kidnapping operation along the Oron waterways in the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed this in a statement issued in Uyo on Tuesday.
According to the statement, operatives of the Marine Police in Oron, acting on credible intelligence about a planned kidnapping operation, carried out a joint intelligence led operation with Marine Hunters at a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar Oron Channel.
The operation was aimed at disrupting the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate allegedly planning to carry out a kidnapping operation within the Oron axis.
The operatives reportedly recovered one Jojeef English pump action gun, two cartridges, one white rope suspected to be intended for criminal activities, two speedboats, three 200horsepower outboard engines and one 15horsepower outboard engine.
The police said the recovered items had been secured for safe custody, proper documentation and further investigation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed, commended the operatives and Marine Hunters for their professionalism and proactive response.
He also reassured residents, particularly those in riverine communities, boat operators, fishermen and other waterways users, of the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property and maintaining security across the state’s waterways.