A civil society organisation, the Centre for Human Rights and Accountability Network (CHRAN), has hailed the Department of State Services (DSS) for thwarting a major kidnapping attempt during the recent Eid El-Kabir celebrations in Akwa Ibom State.
In a statement signed by its Director, Otuekong Isong, and Secretary, Christopher Ekpo, CHRAN praised the intelligence agency for its decisive action in dismantling a notorious sea pirate gang believed to be behind several high-profile abductions in the South-South region.
Among the group’s alleged past crimes was the November 2024 kidnapping of two Chinese nationals and a Nigerian staff member of MarkSino Quarry in Cross River State. During the attack, a police inspector attached to the workers was killed and his AK-47 rifle taken by the assailants.
CHRAN described the DSS operation as a breakthrough in the ongoing efforts to stamp out criminal networks terrorising Akwa Ibom and surrounding states. The centre noted that the arrest of four gang leaders marked significant progress, as the suspects had long been linked to a series of kidnappings involving wealthy business figures and traditional rulers in Uyo, Eket, and Oron, as well as other parts of the region.
According to the group, the arrests were made during a weekend raid in Oron Local Government Area, where DSS operatives seized two AK-47 rifles and six loaded magazines from the suspects’ hideout.
Quoting security sources, CHRAN revealed that the gang had been planning to kidnap prominent politicians attending a high-profile political event, the defection ceremony of Akwa Ibom State Governor Umo Eno from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.
The civil society organisation explained that the gang’s operations had historically targeted expatriates in oil companies, affluent business owners, and respected traditional leaders across the South-South geopolitical zone.
CHRAN commended the DSS for its sustained covert operations and urged the agency to intensify efforts to combat sea piracy, kidnapping, and other organised crimes, noting that such interventions were crucial in restoring public confidence and ensuring national security.
