A 28-year-old taxi driver, Mr Joseph David who was kidnapped along Esuk Mba road in Akpabuyo local government area of Cross River state police has been rescued by police operatives attached to the state police command.
Joseph David was rescued in the forest of Esuk Mba by the Anti-Cultism and Kidnapping Squad, a tactical Unit of the command, in collaboration with Operation Akpakwu( Army detachment) following a distress call.
NigeriaCrime.com gathered that the kidnappers abandoned the victim when they discovered that a search and rescue team were closing in on them.
Recounting how he was kidnapped, Joseph David said he was hired to take a passenger to Esuk Mba to carry Palm Oil at a Mill without knowing that it was a setup.
“On our way to Esuk Mba to carry the oil, he asked me to stop, I inquired about the palm oil we came to carry, all of a sudden, two young men came out from a nearby bush with long guns and marched me into a speed boat and took me into the creeks.
“They left the person who hired me from Nelson Mandela street in Calabar with my vehicle, fortunately, my car didn’t start, in the process, some youth from the area suspected something was wrong when he was accosted he took off, that was when a call was placed to the tactical unit of Anti Kidnapping Squad.
“I believe he gave his accomplices a tip-off because they were receiving calls, and they beat me up badly with cutlass, they dropped me off at Anantigha axis before anti Kidnapping and Operation Akpakwu came to my rescue, but I will be able to identify the person who hired me if he is apprehended,” the victim explained.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Irene Ugbo, urged members of the public to go about their lawful business without fear.
She assured that the police and other sister agencies were not resting on their oars to ensure the safety of lives and property.
“I am aware of the rescue, the man is recuperating in the hospital, he was badly injured, with various degrees of injuries inflicted on him but his abductors,” she stated.
Meanwhile, Irene has said that the command was not taking the threat by kidnappers to invade UNICAL at face value.
“We are also aware of the various threats by some faceless criminals that they will attack UNICAL community and other places, we are not letting that matter go untreated, as we have already gone ahead of them as we speak.
“The commissioner of Police, CP Sule Balarabe has given a marching order to Anti Kidnapping Squad and other tactical units, we won’t allow such a threat to be carried out, as we are ready to nip such threat in the bud,” she said
In a related development, a Carpenter at Nsaha Efiom street, Inyansang, off Goodluck Jonathan bypass, has regained his freedom after five days with his abductors.
The Victim who identified himself as Otobong said that he was called through his mobile number for a job at state Housing by WAPI, and he went since it was business.
“They called me with a number I don’t have and asked me to meet them at WAPI junction that they have a job for me at state Housing, so I went, but 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.
“However, on my way, I received another call from the same person that I should rather stop at Stadium and that they will 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 around the Highway that I lost consciousness, I didn’t know where I was anymore.
“They kept me in a room for five days, blindfolded and without food for days. Even the N37,000 I had with me to buy material for another customer was collected.
“When they checked my account balance they knew I was a wrong target because I didn’t have a Kobo on it. They questioned me if I had money I told them I’m just a poor carpenter.
“After five days, they dropped me off by Jonathan bypass, near the flyover at about 9 pm until people who recognized me called my family,” he added.