Sad news: Kidnapped victim, 3 others die in Akwa Ibom as rescue operation goes wrong

A rescue attempt to free a kidnapped victim
in Akwa Ibom State went horribly wrong after
the victim, one policeman and two of the
abductors lost their lives during the
operation.

The victim, Usen Ekene, was a former Local
Government Chairman at the Ikot Ekpene area
of the state. Mr. Ekene was reportedly
kidnapped around the Nyara Enyin Ntonguno
area of Ikot Ekpene 3 weeks ago and a ransom
of 50 million naira had been demanded by his
abductors.

However, some vigilant indigenes noticed the
kidnappers movements and reported same to
the police who embarked on the rescue
operation which reportedly lasted several
hours and subsequently led to the loss of 3
lives including Ekene's.

Vanguard reports:

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.

Okon said: "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."

Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom
State Police Command, Mr. Etim Dickson,
yesterday in Uyo, confirmed the incident.
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."

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