A 27-year-old suspected kidnapper, one John Akpan, from Ikot Umiang village in Mpat-enin Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State has been shot dead by operatives of the state command while planning further kidnapping operations in the area
According to a statement by the command’s Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, in Uyo on Monday, the suspect was killed in a gun battle with operatives while his criminal gang fled into the bush.
John said the command received intelligence on August 2nd 2025, at approximately 4:00 pm, indicating that a suspected criminal gang were at a hideout in Ikot Umiang village, planning further kidnappings.
She stated the surveillance team was immediately dispatched to the scene and upon noticing the arrival of the team, the criminals soon engaged them in a fire exchange which resulted in the death of the suspect.
She stated however that no police personnel were injured in the exchange which also led to the recovery of a locally made pistol, one live cartridge, and one expanded cartridge
