Troops of 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, in conjunction with the police, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and security agencies, have killed the leader of a notorious gang, Otobong Moses, aka Otoabasi, during a raid in Akwa Ibom.

The assistant director, Army Public Relations, 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, Samuel Akari, disclosed this to newsmen after the raid in Obon Ebot in Etim Ekpo local government area.

Mr Akari said the troops arrested three of the accomplices and rescued two kidnapped victims during the operation and that they seized a  submachine gun and magazine, 67 rounds of 9MM ammunition, two motorcycles, 16 mobile phones, one AK-47 magazine with 30 rounds of 7.62MM special ammunition and nine machetes.

He added that other items recovered included two military monkey jackets, one helmet strapped with military camouflage uniform, two pairs of military camouflage uniform, one military pull over, ATM card, two TV sets, a standing fan, decoder and four generators.

“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 army said. “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.”

The army said the criminal gang “is known for terrorising the locals, kidnapping, killing and burying their victims, who do not do their biddings in shallow graves.”

(NAN)