Police rescue medical doctor, arrest three suspects in Cross River

The Cross River State Police Command has rescued a medical Doctor, Dr Edmund Akpaikpe of Irua Specialist Hospital, Edo State, around Esigi village in Bakassi Local Government Area.

Dr Edmund Akpaikp, who was kidnapped on Sunday in Bakassi while dropping off his maid at Esigi village, regained his freedom after the Anti Kidnapping & Cultism Squad AKCS (Dragon), were closing in on the kidnappers around the location, where he was kept in the forest at about 2:00 am on Tuesday.

Security sources said after actionable intelligence was provided, the Anti Kidnapping and Cultism Squad (Dragon) led by SP Abdulhameed Awodi, swung into action, combing the area, and when the suspected kidnappers realised they could be apprehended, they abandoned the victim, after they were given a hot chase.

Findings indicate, that while under police chase, the criminals also abandoned the victim’s vehicle, a black Toyota Camry with REG AAA 564 BZ, which was also recovered by SP Awodi and his Dragon squad.

Also, three notorious suspected kidnappers were apprehended in connection with the abduction of Dr Akpaikpe.

The suspects include Samuel Ime Thompson, 25 years, Kingsley Mbetobong 23 years, and Asuquo Ekpo Etim 26 years, who Tribune Online learned had also confessed to the crime

Confirming the rescue of Dr Akpaikpe, Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Irene Ugbo said that against all odds, they had been recording success “as we have facilitated the release of four kidnap victims in one week.”

She told Tribune Online that the spate of kidnapping in the country was saddening, “especially now that we are coming to the end of the year”, adding that a lot of criminally minded individuals now use the excuse of trying to meet up to get into various crime including kidnapping.

“We want to use this opportunity to warn criminally minded individuals to either leave the state or be law-abiding, we have resolved to go after anyone who is involved in a crime with brutal force, as we will not treat any kidnapper with kid gloves.

“The rescue of Dr Akpaikpe is yet another success by AKCS, and we commend SP Awodi and his men, including other units for carrying out the orders of the CP, Aminu Alhassan to the latter.

“We laud Dragon Squad for their dexterity because they are giving their all to making sure CrossRiverians go about their lawful activities.

“We are also appealing to the public especially those living within the riverine area, creeks not to keep quiet whenever there is suspicious movement or see a face that is not known in their vicinity, they should always keep us abreast of such, because it makes our job easier,” she pleaded.

Speaking further, the PPRO said that the trio had confessed to the crime and would be charged to court, adding that police was still on the trail of two other members of the five-man gang, who escaped during the operation.

Tribune Online observed that Dr Akpaikpe who was severely brutalised by his abductors was receiving treatment in a hospital and was also in a stable condition.

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