Timfon John, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, disclosed this in a statement to journalists in Uyo on Tuesday.
The Police Command in Akwa Ibom State says it has foiled a planned kidnap operation in Oron Local Government Area of the state.
Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, said the command received credible intelligence from members of the public who reported a suspected plan to carry out a kidnap operation around the Oron axis of the state.
She said that following the report, operatives of the command embarked on a joint intelligence-led operation to a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar-Oron channel.
Ms John said that during the operation, police operatives recovered one pump-action gun, two cartridges, and one white rope suspected to be intended for criminal use.
According to her, the police also recovered two speedboats, three 200HP outboard engines, and one 15HP outboard engine.
The police spokesperson said the recovered items had been properly documented and kept in safe custody for necessary investigation.
Ms John said that the operation was part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy.
“The strategy is aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks before they are able to implement their plans.”
She further said that the command was committed to denying criminals the opportunity of turning the waterways in Cross River to their operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes.
She said the marine police unit had continued to maintain heightened vigilance across strategic waterways and coastal communities in the state.
Ms John expressed the command’s commitment to the safety of residents of coastal communities, boat operators, fishers and other waterway users.
She said the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Baba Azare, was delighted by the gallantry of police personnel in the state.
“The commissioner of police is happy, the men are working gallantly. He is happy at their display of professionalism, courage and actionable intelligence,” she said.
(NAN)
