Troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, with the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as other security agencies have raided kidnappers’ hideout in Obon Ebot, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State and killed a notorious kingpin and gang leader Otobong Moses, alias Otoabasi.
The troops also rescued two kidnapped victims and arrested three suspected kidnappers during the operation.
The Assistant Director Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Samuel Akari, disclosed this to newsmen after the raid on Wednesday.
He said items recovered from the raid include: one sub-machine gun and magazine, 67 rounds of 9MM ammunition, two motorcycles, 16 mobile phones, one AK-47 rifle magazine with 30 rounds of 7.62MM special ammunition and nine machetes.
Other items recovered include: two military monkey jackets, one helmet strapped with military camouflage uniform, 2 pairs of military camouflage uniform, one military police beret, one police camouflage face cap, one military pull over, ATM card, two TV sets, a standing fan, decoder and four generator sets.
He added that, “The raid was as a result of a sustained surveillance on the activities of the notorious kingpin and his syndicate.
“The first phase of the operations was conducted on May 12; during the operations, troops raided the criminals hideout, but on sighting the troops, the criminals abandoned their hideout and fled.
“The gallant troops rescued the kidnapped victims and arrested two collaborators of the criminal kingpin, while the shrine, hideout and assorted charms were set ablaze by the troops.
“Further investigation revealed that the criminal gang is known for terrorising the locals, kidnapping, killing and burying their victims, who do not do their biddings in shallow graves in the general area,” Akari said.
He appealed to residents of the community to return to their homes and continue their businesses as the security agencies would be on surveillance to ensure peace in the community.