A suspected kidnap kingpin and gang leader Otobong Moses, have been killed by a combined team of security agents in Obon Ebot, Etim Ekpo Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
The suspect, also known as Otoabasi was killed when a team of troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), among other security agencies raided the hideout used by the suspect and rescued two kidnapped victims.
A statement by the Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Capt. Samuel Akari on Wednesday said the troops also arrested three suspected kidnappers during the operation.
He disclosed that the raid was a result of sustained surveillance of 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,” he added.
Akari 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 a military camouflage uniform, 2 pairs of military camouflage uniforms, one military police beret, one police camouflage face cap, one military pullover, an ATM card, two TV sets, a standing fan, decoder, and four generator sets.
According to him, “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.”
He further 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.
