The police in Akwa Ibom said they have rescued nine people, including an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, who were abducted in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun local government areas of the state.
Adeyemi Ogunjemilusi, the commissioner of police in the state, who briefed journalists in Uyo, said the rescue operation took place around 12 p.m. on Saturday, August 18, 2018.
Mr Ogunjemilusi described the rescue as a “great breakthrough” in the fight against cultism and criminal gangs in the two local government areas.
He identified those rescued as Eno Peter Udo, 50, of Ikot Inyang, Ukanafun, Local Government Area, said to have been abducted on July 26, 2018; Eno Itohowo Okon, 37, Ikot Inyang Abia, Ukanafun, abducted July 26, 2018; and Imaobong Sunday Thomas, 14, Ikot Inyang Abia, Ukanafun, abducted August 8, 2018.
Others are Uduak Fred Obonukut, 45, Ikot Esop, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, abducted on June 16, 2018; Charity Moses Peter, 54, Ikot Ama Ikpe Annang, Etim Ekpo, abducted June 24, 2018; Bessy Jimmy Okpon, 55, Ikot Inyang Abia, Ukanafun, abducted August 8, 2018; Esther Jimmy Okpon, 35, Ikot Inyang Abia, Ukanafun, abducted August 8, 2018; Otobong Sylvester Ukpong, 34, Iwukem, Etim Ekpo, abducted June 5, 2018; and Victoria Peter Udo, 50, Ikot Inyang Abia, Ukanafun, abducted July 26, 2018.
The commissioner said the police on August 16 had also rescued a nine-year-old boy, Joseph Udoh Udung and an unidentified young lady in a similar operation around Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun.
A police sergeant, Shedrach Stephen, lost his life in the operation, the commissioner said.
The commissioner assured that the police was committed to restoring peace and security in troubled communities in the state.
