THE Anambra State Police Command said it intercepted a kidnapping ring yesterday and rescued four individuals who had already been abducted by the “dare-devil kidnappers.”
State police spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed this in a press statement today, noting that the kidnappers were transporting the victims to an undisclosed location before being apprehended.
According to Ikenga, police officers on patrol with local vigilantes apprehended the kidnappers on the Amagu-Awgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area while they were attempting to flee the state.
He said, “The gang, which opened fire sporadically on sighting the patrol team, bowed to police-vigilante superior firepower. Two of the three vehicles the gang operated with were demobilised.
“While a remnant of the gang escaped in the third vehicle, other gangsters fled into the bush on foot with bullet wounds. One pump action gun was recovered during the encounter.
“Also recovered were two SUVs – one 2017 edition of Toyota Highlander with registration number Abuja GWA 141 KZ and one Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with registration number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.
“Preliminary inquiry revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV were issued to a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle.”
The spokesperson added that “four abducted victims were rescued unhurt from the gang. Preliminary debriefing to ascertain circumstances of their abduction are ongoing.”
He stated that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who termed the victims’ rescue as “heroic,” commended the effective collaboration between police and vigilantes throughout the state.
He underlined that once the protection of citizens is prioritized, the police will collaborate smoothly with all necessary partners to eliminate any threats to the public.
“The Commissioner of Police has directed that the case be transferred to the anti-kidnapping unit in Awkuzu. He has mandated the unit to deploy its expertise in tracking down gang members who escaped the onslaught at Awgbu and bring them to justice,” Ikenga added.
