The Police have rescued two persons who were abducted in a disputed land involving Edem Idim Okpot Village and Odoro Atasung Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area.
The Akwa Ibom State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfom John, announced this in a press release issued in Uyo on Friday, April 17, 2026.
According to the police, the two men, one Mr. Sunday, aged 68, and one Mr. Samuel, aged 41, from Odoro Atasung Village, were attacked, abducted, and taken to an unknown destination by indigenes of Edem Idim Okpot Village when they went to harvest palm fruits in a land reportedly under dispute.
DSP Timfom John said the successful rescue operations followed a swift intelligence-led action.
“On the 15th of April, 2026, at about 8:19 PM, credible intelligence revealed that some individuals from Edem Idim Okpot Village attacked indigenes of Odoro Atasung Village who had gone to harvest palm fruits in a swampy area reportedly under dispute.
“During the attack, two persons, one Mr. Sunday, aged 68, and one Mr. Samuel, aged 41, were abducted and taken to an unknown destination.
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She said that acting promptly on the information, Operatives of the Command stormed the suspected hideout of the abductors in the early hours of April 16, 2026, at about 6:10 am.
The PPRO disclosed that on sighting the Police, the suspects fled the scene, abandoning their captives, upon which both victims were rescued unhurt and have since been reunited with their families.
During the operation, one locally made short gun and a live cartridge were recovered from the scene, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
DSP John hinted that preliminary investigations indicate that the incident is connected to a long-standing dispute over the ownership of the palm fruit plantation, which is currently pending before a Customary Court in Ikot Ubo Village.
“In a bid to prevent further breakdown of law and order, the Police have invited the leadership of both communities for a peace meeting aimed at fostering dialogue and resolving the conflict amicably,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare fsi, has warned all parties involved to refrain from taking law into their own hands and to allow due legal processes to take their course.
The Commissioner reiterated the commitment of the Command to maintaining peace and security across the State and assured residents that decisive action will be taken against anyone found culpable.
