The state Commissioner of Police, Olatoye Durosinmi revealed this on Tuesday in a press briefing held at the command’s headquarters, Ikot Akpanabia, Uyo, explained that an Ak-47 rifle with ammunitions was recovered while other suspects fled into the river during a gun duel.

The commissioner listed those arrested by the police to include one Thankgod Ezekiel Udo of Ikpe Annang and Imo Okarafor John a.k.a “Nkwokwo” while those rescued include Miss Blessing Elkanem, 19, Mr Kingsley Elkanem 23 and Mrs Chioma Gabriella 25, Mr Idorenyin Maurice Inim 23, and Mr Uko Clement 39.

He said they were rescued following an intelligence from a driver with Akwa Ibom Power Link Transit Company, one Victor Umana, based in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The statement in parts, “On 25th September, 2022 the Command received a report from one Victor Saturday Umana, driver of Akwa Ibom Power Link Transit Company based in Port Harcourt, that on the 23rd of September, 2022, being Friday, while conveying passengers from Port Harcourt to Uyo, that at about 9:21pm they were stopped at Abia Palm in Azumini by hoodlums who took over the steering and drove them to the bush, robbed them and kidnapped five of them

“The five kidnapped victims were taken deep into the forest at Ikpe Annang in Etim Ekpo Local Government Area, their hands were tied and eyes blindfolded and demanded for twenty million (20m) ransom each". He said.