Sad news: Kidnapped victim, 3 others die in Akwa Ibom as rescue operation goes wrong

by ‘Jola Sotubo

A rescue attempt to free a kidnapped victim in Akwa Ibom State went horribly wrong after the victim, one policeman and two of the abductors lost their lives during the operation.

The victim, Usen Ekene, was a former Local Government Chairman at the Ikot Ekpene area of the state. Mr. Ekene was reportedly kidnapped around the Nyara Enyin Ntonguno area of Ikot Ekpene 3 weeks ago and a ransom of 50 million naira had been demanded by his abductors.

However, some vigilant indigenes noticed the kidnappers movements and reported same to the police who embarked on the rescue operation which reportedly lasted several hours and subsequently led to the loss of 3 lives including Ekene’s.

Vanguard reports:

An indigene of the area, Mr. Richard Okon, said that when the villagers spotted the kidnappers’ den, they informed the police, who mobilised to free Ekene.

Okon said: “We did not know that the incident would result to loss of lives. The joint patrol team that tried to rescue Ekene from his abductors did their best, though they could not save him.”

Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson, yesterday in Uyo, confirmed the incident.

Dickson said Ekene, a police corporal and two suspected abductors died. He added that one other member of the joint patrol team, sustained serious injury.

Dickson said: “It is a big blow to the force. These are some of the things we suffer during rescue operation.

“You know this issue of rescuing people in a joint operation is not all that simple.”

Comments (2)

  1. This is so sad. I think foreign officers should be brought in to properly train the Nigerian police. They barely handle simple road and day to day issues well, so I would not expect them to handle a hostage situation any better. Rip to the innocent men that lost their lives.

  2. This so sad. I think foreign officers should be brought in to properly train the Nigerian police. They barely handle simple road and day to day issues well, so I would not expect them to handle a hostage situation any better. Rip to the innocent men that lost their lives.

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

cool good eh love2 cute confused notgood numb disgusting fail