Joint Task force comprising troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) as well as other security agencies have raided kidnappers hideout in Obon Ebot in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and killed a notorious kingpin, Otobong Moses, also known as Otoabasi.
The troops also rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested three suspected
kidnappers during the operation.
The Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Samuel Akari, who disclosed this to journalists said the items recovered from the raid include; one Sub Machine Gun and magazine, 67 rounds of 9MM ammunition, two motorcycles, 16 mobile phones, one AK 47 rifle magazine with 30 rounds of 7.62MM Special ammunition and nine machetes.
Five other items recovered include; two military monkey jackets, one helmet strapped with military camouflage uniform, 2 pairs of military camouflage uniform, one military police beret, one police camouflage face cap, one military pull over, ATM card, two TV sets, a standing fan, decoder and four generator sets.
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He said the raid operation was as a result of a sustained surveillance on the activities of the notorious kingpin and his syndicate
According to the statement, “The first phase of the operations was conducted on May 12, during the operations, troops raided the criminals hideout, but on sighting the troops the criminals abandoned their hideout and fled.
“The gallant troops rescued the kidnapped victims and arrested two collaborators of the criminal kingpin while the shrine, hideout and assorted charms were set ablaze by the troops.”
He said further investigation revealed that the criminal gang was terrorising the locals, kidnapping, killing and burying their victims, who do not do their biddings in shallow graves.
He therefore appealed to residents of the community to return to their homes and continue their businesses as the security agencies would be on surveillance to ensure peace in the community.
