Nigerian Police Force has successfully apprehended a 10-member gang believed to be planning the kidnapping of Chinese expatriates associated with the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC).
Acting on information from local intelligence, a tactical police squad conducted a raid on two hideouts nestled within forests along the Ibiono Ibom axis of the Ikot Ekpene federal highway during the early hours of Friday.
The arrested kidnappers had reportedly been utilizing these forest locations as operational bases for months, meticulously preparing for their intended abduction.
Ubong Etim, the youth leader of the area, confirmed the arrests, emphasising that the criminals had targeted Chinese expatriates contributing to the ongoing reconstruction of the Calabar-Itu highway.
The construction project, managed by CCECC, Julius Berger, and other local companies, is situated on the Ibiono Ibom/Ikono axis of the highway.
Sources within the police force, speaking on condition of anonymity, disclosed that “the police were able to successfully raid the forests after days of monitoring and surveillance on the community.”
“The criminals were overpowered in a gun battle, which lasted for hours,” he added.
Upon the arrests, law enforcement recovered four AK-47 rifles, numerous locally made pistols, and items suspected to be charms from the suspects. The apprehended individuals have been transferred to the state headquarters in Ikot Akpanabia, near Uyo, for further interrogation and prosecution.