The Akwa Ibom State police command has foiled an attempted kidnapkidnapping and recovered two speedboats and other items in the Oron axis of the state.

In a statement on Tuesday, police spokesperson, DSP Timfon John, said the operation was conducted alongside marine hunters following credible intelligence.

“At about 0605 hours on Tuesday, 8 September 2026, operatives of the Marine Police, Oron, acting on credible intelligence regarding a planned kidnapping operation within Oron, Akwa Ibom State, embarked on a joint intelligence-led operation with Marine Hunters to a suspected criminal camp along the Calabar–Oron Channel.

“The operation was targeted at disrupting the activities of a suspected criminal syndicate allegedly planning to carry out a kidnapping operation within the Oron axis,” Ms John stated.

She noted that upon reaching the suspected camp, the operatives recovered several other illegal items, including pump-action gun, two cartridges, one white rope suspected to be intended for criminal use and others.

Ms John added that the recovered items had been secured for safe custody, proper documentation and further necessary investigative action.

“The operation is part of the command’s sustained intelligence-led and proactive policing strategy aimed at identifying, disrupting and dismantling criminal networks before they are able to execute their plans,” she noted.

The command said it remains focused on denying criminals the opportunity to exploit the state’s waterways as operational corridors, hideouts or escape routes. 

The state police commissioner, Baba Azare, commended the operatives for their professionalism, courage and effective utilisation of actionable intelligence. 

Mr Azare reaffirmed the command’s commitment to deploying intelligence, operational resources and strategic partnerships to proactively prevent crime and safeguard the people in the state.