An operation aimed at rescuing a one-time Chairman of Ikot Ekpene Local Government Council, Akwa-ibom State has resulted in his death and that of two kidnappers who were killed in the operation, which lasted many hours.
Mr. Usen Ekene, a police corporal, was kidnapped three weeks ago at Nyara Enyin Ntonguno in Ikot Ekpene. The kidnappers reportedly demanded N50 million as ransom from the family of the former council boss.
Speaking on the incident, an indigene of the area, Mr. Richard Okon, said that when the villagers spotted the kidnappers’ den, they informed the police, who mobilised to free Ekene.
“We did not know that the incident would result to loss of lives. The joint patrol team that tried to rescue Ekene from his abductors did their best, though they could not save him,” Okon said.
Confirming the incident yesterday in Uyo, Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson said Ekene, a police corporal and two suspected abductors died. He added that one other member of the joint patrol team, sustained serious injury.
Dickson said: “It is a big blow to the force. These are some of the things we suffer during rescue operation.
“You know this issue of rescuing people in a joint operation is not all that simple.”
