Operatives of the Cross River Police Command have rescued a 28-year-old taxi driver, Joseph David, and one other from their abductors.
David was rescued on Saturday at Esuk Mba in the Akpabuyo Local Government Area of Cross River.
SP Irene Ugbo, the state police spokesperson, confirmed the rescue on Sunday.
She stated that the rescue operation was carried out inside a forest at Esuk Mba by the Anti-Cultism and Anti-Kidnap Squad, a police tactical unit, in collaboration with the Army’s “Operation Akpakwu”.
According to him, the operation was carried out following a distress call, and David’s vehicle was also recovered during the operation.
Irene stated that the kidnappers abandoned David when they realized a search-and-rescue team was closing in on them.
“On our way to Esuk Mba to carry the palm oil, the man who hired me suddenly asked me to stop at a spot. All of a sudden, two young men came out of a nearby bush with guns and marched me into a speed boat and took me into the creeks.
“They left the person who hired me from Calabar with my vehicle, but the car wouldn’t start. In the process, some youths from the area suspected something was wrong and accosted the man that hired me, but he fled, after which the youths alerted the police.
“I believe he gave his accomplices a tip-off because they were receiving calls, and they beat me up badly with a cutlass. They dropped me off at Anantigha before the anti-kidnap and `Operation Akpakwu’ operatives came to my rescue,” he said.
Meanwhile, David added that he could identify the assailants anytime they were arrested.
Similarly, a carpenter identified as Otobong, has also regained freedom from his captors after five days in captivity.
Otobong said he was let off the hook after he parted with the N37,000 found on him by his abductors, who had tricked him under the guise of giving him a job.
“Before leaving, I called my wife to inform her; unfortunately, her phone line didn’t connect, so I had to inform my daughter about my movement instead.
“On my way, I received another call from the same person saying that I should stop at the stadium and that they would pick me up from there which they did.
“They were three in the car, a Toyota Camry. Since I didn’t suspect any foul play, I joined them. It was while they were driving me to their destination on the highway that I lost consciousness.
“They locked me in a room for five days with my eyes closed and no food. Even the N37,000 I had with me to buy materials for another customer was collected.
“When they checked my account balance, they knew I was the wrong target because I didn’t have a Kobo in it. They questioned me if I had money and I told them that I am just a poor carpenter,’’ he said.
