40 kidnapping cases thwarted in Sabah since 2018

Effective action: DCP Hazani said measures to enhance security by tightening control at risky routes in Lahad Datu had enabled them to detect the kidnap-for-ransom activities carried out by terrorist groups from the southern Philippines.

LAHAD DATU: The security forces have thwarted 40 kidnapping attempts in the waters off seven districts in the Eastern Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) since 2018, says Deputy Comm Datuk Hazani Ghazali.

The Eastern Sabah Security Command (Esscom) commander said this was due to the close cooperation between the Royal Malaysia Police, Malaysian Armed Forces and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.