By; PATRICK TITUS, Uyo
Two Turkish Nationals who were abducted in Akwa Ibom state by gunmen have regained their freedom after 10 days stay in their abductors’ hideout.
Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Don Awunah, on Friday, while briefing journalists in Uyo, the state capital on the recent strides of the command said, the two nationals were released on the 19th of this month.
CP Awunah said the victims, who have since been reunited with their colleagues after medical assessment, were kidnapped and taken to the Creeks in Calabar/Oron waters by their abductors for ransom.
According to Awunah, the police secured their freedom through sustained police activities in the waterways, deployment of technical platform, cultivation of actionable intelligence and skillful professional negotiation. Five suspects, he added, have been arrested while further investigation was ongoing.
It would be recalled that on the 9th of this month, the two Turkish nationals were kidnapped in a hotel in Eket. Sources said the kidnappers were demanding N200.000 ransom. The nationals were in the state to partner Akwa Ibom State on foreign direct investment policy of the state.
On the murder of Mr. Ime Atakpa who was the secretary to Ukanafun Local Government Area transition committee, the Police Commissioner said investigations were still ongoing to unravel his killers.
Late Atakpa was killed on Easter Sunday at his residence in Ukanafun by unknown assassins who also shot his personal aide popularly called ‘Warrior’.
Similarly, CP Awunah said police are also investigating to unveil those behind the abduction of the proprietor of Sure Foundation Polytechnic, Dr. Idongesit Udom. Udom was kidnapped on a Palm Sunday near his Church, Qua Iboe, in Idung Nneke Village also in Ukanafun for ransom.
CP Awunah advised families of both late Atakpa and kidnapped Dr. Udom not to panic as the command has put in place as a special squad to nap the criminals involved in the acts.
