Police foil planned kidnapping, recover guns, speedboats in A’Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has foiled a planned kidnapping operation in Oron Local Government Area and recovered weapons, ammunition and speedboats allegedly used by a suspected criminal syndicate.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, and made available to journalists on Tuesday in Uyo.

The police spokesperson said operatives of the Marine Police, Oron, acting on credible intelligence, carried out a joint operation with Marine Hunters at a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar–Oron Channel.

She said the operation was aimed at disrupting the activities of a syndicate allegedly planning to carry out a kidnapping within the Oron axis.

The statement 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, September 8, 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 at a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar–Oron Channel.”

The statement further stated that items recovered during the raid included one Jojeef English pump-action gun, two cartridges, one white rope suspected to be intended for criminal use, two speedboats, three 200HP outboard engines and one 15HP outboard engine.

The spokesperson said all recovered items had been secured for documentation and further investigation, describing the operation as part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy to identify and dismantle criminal networks before they execute their plans.

“The Command remains particularly focused on denying criminal elements the opportunity to exploit the state’s waterways as operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes,” the statement said.

The command assured residents, boat operators, fishermen and other waterway users that the area remained calm and peaceful, with no incident reported following the operation.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective use of intelligence and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to deploying intelligence, operational resources and strategic partnerships to prevent crime.

Azare also expressed appreciation to the Marine Hunters for their support and urged them to sustain cooperation with security agencies.

He warned criminal elements operating across state boundaries that Akwa Ibom State would not serve as a safe haven, staging ground or escape corridor for kidnappers, armed criminals or other perpetrators of violent crimes.

The commissioner urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements, persons, vessels or activities to the police, adding that Marine Police operatives had continued to maintain heightened vigilance across strategic waterways and coastal communities.

“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.