June 4 (THEWILL) — The Akwa Ibom Police Command has rescued three abducted children and arrested two suspected child traffickers in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area, thwarting what authorities described as a child abduction operation.
The Command disclosed the development in a statement issued on Thursday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Timfon John, who said the children were rescued during a swift security operation following a distress call from a concerned resident.
According to the police, operatives received information at about 7:00 p.m. on June 3 regarding the abduction of three children along Ekparakwa Village in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area.
The report triggered an immediate response, with detectives mobilised to the area while strategic entry and exit routes were placed under surveillance as part of efforts to track down the suspects and rescue the victims.
The operation led to the interception of a mini-bus with registration number 830 PH. A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered the three missing children, who were found inside the bus and rescued unharmed.
Police arrested two suspects at the scene. They were identified as Emmanuel Johnny, 39, from Ikot Itokpo Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area but resident in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Ifiok Umoh, 28, from Ikot Ikpene Village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.
The rescued children have since been reunited with their families, while the suspects remain in police custody pending further investigation.
Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, commended the operatives for their swift action and praised community members whose timely information aided the successful rescue.
Azare also directed a comprehensive investigation to uncover and arrest other members of the suspected criminal network, stressing the Command’s determination to combat child trafficking, abduction and related crimes across the state.
The police urged residents to remain vigilant and continue providing credible information to security agencies, assuring that all useful intelligence would be treated confidentially.
