Akwa Ibom Police Rescue Kidnapped Supermarket Victim in Under 24 Hours, Launch Manhunt for Suspects

|By Chinwendu Nwani

The Akwa Ibom Police Command has rescued a man kidnapped at a supermarket in Obotim Village, Nsit Ibom Local Government Area, less than 24 hours after the incident was reported.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, disclosed the development in a statement issued in Uyo on Friday, confirming that the victim was freed unhurt following coordinated tactical operations across the state.

According to the police, the kidnappers stormed a supermarket in Obotim Village on Tuesday, abducted the man, and whisked him away to an unknown location. During the operation, the suspects allegedly withdrew N1.9 million from the victim’s bank account and later contacted his family to demand a N30 million ransom.

John said the Command swiftly activated intelligence-driven strategies, deploying assets to identified locations while leveraging inter-unit collaboration and surveillance.

“Through effective inter-unit synergy, intelligence gathering, and strategic deployment of assets, the victim was rescued unhurt in less than 24 hours after the incident was reported,” she stated.

The police spokesperson noted that the victim was immediately taken to a medical facility for examination and was confirmed to be in stable condition.

She emphasized that the rapid rescue underscores the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state.

Meanwhile, the Command has intensified efforts to track down the suspects behind the abduction, vowing to bring them to justice.

The Akwa Ibom Police Command reiterated its commitment to safeguarding residents and dismantling criminal networks operating within the state.