Operatives of the Akwa Ibom State Police Command on Friday shot dead three suspected kidnappers during exchange of gunfire in a criminal hideout, and rescued a prominent lawyer, and a director at the Ministry of Justice, Abak local government area outstation, Barr. Emmanuel Ubengama, who was seized along with his niece Wednesday evening.

On Friday, the hoodlums had laid ambush for the duo along the Abak – Ikot Abasi road, where they swooped on them on their way back to Abak LGA, after seeing the children in school Leadership training

According to family sources in his Ikot Imo village in Midim, as well as his residence off Offot road in Abak town, the matter was immediately reported to the police at Abak Division, a move that spurred a quick response from the Commissioner of Police (CP), Joseph Eribo, who quickly drafted some tactical operatives to comb the area.

However, the rescue efforts of the tactical team led the operatives to Ikot Ukpong village, the den of the kidnappers in Afaha Óbóng area of Abak LGA, where the gun duel ensued, leading to the three suspects being neutralised while others fled.

When the dust cleared after the shootout, operatives were said to have stormed the hideout where the victims were discovered tied down inside a purpose – built soakaway facility and promptly rescued them.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Timfon John, said efforts were on to track down and arrest others on the run to face prosecution and punishment as the CP, Eribo, has zero tolerance for crimes, especially as the yuletide season approaches.

“The Command, has warned criminal elements that nowhere in Akwa Ibom is safe for them,” she stressed, and appealed to members of the civil society to collaborate by working in synergy with security agencies in the area of intelligence sharing to stem crimes in their domains