A foremost civil society-cum-human rights organisation in Nigeria, under the auspices of Center for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has commended the Department of State Service (DSS) for preventing major kidnappings in Akwa Ibom during the ongoing Eid El-Kabir Sallah festivities.
The Center, in a press release signed by its Director and Secretary, Otuekong Franklyn Isong and Comrade (Barr.) Christopher Ekpo, respectively, and made available to newsmen in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State Capital on Monday, 9th May, 2025, stated that, according to credible security sources, the DSS smashed a sea pirate gang linked to the November 2024 kidnap of two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian staff member of the MarkSino quarry in Cross River State, during which the kidnappers reportedly shot dead a Police Inspector attached to the workers, and carted away his AK-47 rifle.
The CHRAN described the arrest by DSS as a major breakthrough in the crackdown on criminals terrorising the state and the South-South zone.
The arrest of the four gang leaders, who were also reportedly linked to the kidnapping of big business owners and prominent traditional rulers in Uyo, Eket, and Oron axis, as well as other neighbouring states in the South South, for some time, highlighted the resolve of the DSS to secure Nigerians througha its sustained covert operations.
The source, the Centre disclosed, further stated that, during a covert operation at the weekend, the DSS arrested four suspected commanders of the gang with two AK-47 rifles and six fully loaded magazines at their hideout in Oron local government area of Akwa Ibom State.
The Center quoted the security sources as saying that, “the gang members, according to preliminary security reports, invaded Akwa Ibom State, targeting to kidnap top politicians who attended the formal defection ceremony of His Excellency Governor Umo Eno from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), an event that coincided with the Eid El-Kabir holiday.
“The history of the operations of this notorious gang primarily involved targeting high-ranking expatriate staff of oil companies, high-net-worth business owners, and prominent traditional rulers across the South-South geopolitical zone,” the source asserted.
Commending the DSS for the feat and other strides in Akwa Ibom State, the CHRAN called on the Service not to relent in executing such covert operations, as they are strategically needed to drastically reduce the protracted menace of sea piracy, kidnapping, and other high-profile crimes in the country.
ALSO READ TOP STORIES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
THE Nigerian National currency, naira, may stabilise around N1,600 and N1,650 in the near term,…
Introduction Last week, a public notice was issued that the Lagos Division of the Federal…
Mr. Bisi Adedire is the President of Association of Town Planning Consultants of Nigeria (ATOPCON).…
This is a simple way to kill a man that is too powerful for the…
RECENTLY, there was palpable tension in the Rano Local Government Area of Kano State following…
In this interview with CHRISTIAN APPOLOS, Chief Emenike Ikedichi Ubani, a labour analyst and lecturer…
This website uses cookies.