POLICE RESCUES 7 WORSHIPPERS ABDUCTED FROM A CHURCH IN AKWA IBOM

The police in Akwa Ibom have rescued seven persons said to have been abducted by gunmen from a church in the state.

During a night vigil at the Apostolic Faith Church, Nkekata Community, Ukanafum Local Government Area, kidnappers invaded the sanctuary of some worshipers and kidnapped about seven members of the congregation. 

 A deputy superintendent of police, said  there was an outburst of bullets flying through the air, in the "operation purge" rescue operation carried out by the police and one of the kidnappers was killed during the shoot-out.

The police spokesperson gave the names of the rescued victims as Utip Johnny Okpor, 48, Uduakobong Mbet Matthew, 16, and Ibong Dickson Ukowo, 52, all from Nkek village in Ukanafun.

Others are Sunday Alexander Ikiwoho, 50; Ekabom Udo Udo, 20; Comfort Hope Udo, 16, all from Nkek village in Ukanafun, and Eme Tom Udoh, 65, from Ikot Essien, still in Ukanafun.

Despite proscription of cult groups, imposition of curfew, and the elimination and arrest of several suspected cultists, cult activities seem to have been on the increase in the Ukanafun and Etim Ekpo local government areas in Akwa-Ibom.

Before this latest rescue, the police a few days ago announced the rescue of nine persons, including an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), said to have been abducted by suspected kidnappers in Etim Ekpo and Ukanafun.