The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has rescued three children allegedly abducted in Mkpat Enin Local Government Area of the state and arrested two suspected child traffickers linked to the crime.
The rescue operation followed a distress call received by the police from a resident who reported the abduction of three children from Ekparakwa Village.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Timfon John, on Thursday, operatives of the command immediately swung into action, deploying personnel to strategic locations and blocking all possible escape routes in the area.
The statement said the swift response led to the interception of a mini bus with registration number 830 PH along a strategic route within the local government area.
“Upon searching the vehicle, the operatives discovered the three missing children inside and rescued them unharmed. Two suspects were arrested at the scene,” the statement read.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Johnny, 39, a native of Ikot Itokpo Village in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area who resides in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Ifiok Umoh, 28, from Ikot Ikpene Village in Oruk Anam Local Government Area.
The police said the rescued children had been reunited with their families, while the suspects remained in custody pending the conclusion of investigations.
Commending the operatives for their prompt action, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mohammed Azare, also praised members of the public whose timely information contributed to the successful rescue.
Azare directed that a discreet and thorough investigation be conducted to identify and apprehend other members of the suspected trafficking syndicate.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to combating child abduction, trafficking and other related crimes across the state.
The police commissioner further urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide useful information to security agencies, assuring that all intelligence supplied would be treated with utmost confidentiality.
The command said efforts were ongoing to dismantle the criminal network behind the attempted trafficking of the children.