Men of the anti-cultism and kidnapping squad in the Cross River State Police Command led by SP Awodi Abdulhameed have killed two kidnappers.

The state police commissioner, Aminu Alhassan, confirmed the killing when he met with journalists in Calabar.

He said that the two had terrorised inhabitants of the area for a long time until the squad smoked them out.

Four priests of the Apostolic Church and three others, who traveled to Creek Town for church planting were abducted.

They were reportedly released after payment of 10 million ransom.

He said that the two suspects were naturalised by SP Awodi Abdulhameed-led anti-cultism and kidnapping squad.

Alhassan explained that the squad had carried out a covert operation based on credible intelligence, which resulted in the bursting of the kidnappers’ den.

“My men have neutralised two kidnap kingpins involved in the kidnap of some pastors who went for church planting at Creek Town.

“Two couldn’t make it alive, while the third, who is now at large, was severely injured during a gun duel.

“We had earlier warned that we will no longer wait for criminals but will take battle into their hideouts to smoke them out.

“We want to urge law abiding citizens to be more vigilant and shouldn’t take security for granted because it’s everybody’s business.”

The commissioner appealed to the locals to be on the lookout for anyone with gun wounds in their community.