Akwa Ibom State Police Command said it has rescued five siblings abducted by an unknown person in Ikot Idim village, Obio Ibiono, in Ibiono Ibom Local Government Area of the state.
It added that their abductor was also apprehended by the operatives.
This was revealed by the Commissioner of Police, Joseph Eribo, while briefing the press on Tuesday at the command headquarters, Ikot Akpan-Abia, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Eribo said the command on November 14 received a distress call from a woman, who reported that five of her children had been taken away by an unknown man on a motorcycle.
He said the command’s operatives immediately swung into action, in the company of villagers from Mbiakpan Ikot Idim and Obio Ibiono, and the children were later rescued and the abductor apprehended.
He said, “The suspect was given a hot chase and arrested at Obio Ibiono. The five children were rescued unhurt and reunited with their parents.
“The motorcycle used by the suspect in committing the crime was recovered,” Eribo said.
The CP also said that on November 27, at about 1940 hrs, operatives of the command, while on patrol along Ikot Ekpene/Uyo Highway, received a distress call from a woman that some armed men attempted to kidnap her husband.
He said that the operatives on patrol swung into action upon receiving the information, and on getting to the scene, the armed assailants opened fire in a bid to escape, leading to an exchange of gunfire between the police and the assailants.
He added that during the gun duel, one suspect was neutralized and others escaped the scene on a motorcycle.
“The following items were recovered from the scene: one cut-to-size AK-47 rifle, four rounds of ammunition, one empty shell, one bag containing substances suspected to be charms, and one business card bearing the name of a certain individual,” he said.
Eribo, at the briefing, added that the command, based on intelligence, stormed a gun factory and arrested a notorious gunrunner, recovering arms and equipment used in manufacturing guns.
“Based on credible information at the command’s disposal, operatives stormed a gun-making factory where firearms of various makes were fabricated and sold to criminals.
“During the operation, one male suspect was arrested, while his father and his brothers, who jointly run the business, fled.
“The following items were recovered: seven newly made single-barrel guns, five newly made double-barrel guns, one special steel double-trigger pistol, and one broken single-barrel gun,” he said.
The Commissioner of Police said that all the suspects would be charged to court as soon as investigations are concluded.
He assured Akwa Ibom residents that the command will continue to intensify its efforts against crime and stand firm in its duty to protect lives and property.