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From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Abia State Police Command has neutralized six suspected kidnappers who have been terrorizing the Obingwa axis of the state, and rescued four kidnapped victims.
In a statement by Abia State Police Public Relations Officer ( PPRO), Maureen Chinaka, on March 9, at about 9:30 am, the command received a report that four persons who were driving in their Toyota RAV4 along New Umuahia Road, Aba, were kidnapped by unknown armed men.
The release said leveraging on credible intelligence, on March 14, Tactical team of the Command, using technological means located the kidnappers’ hideout in Osokwa, Osisioma Ngwa LGA, where the victims were held hostage for five days in a three-bedroom bungalow.
Chinaka said on arrival, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from the kidnappers.
In a crossfire that ensued, six members of the kidnapping syndicate were neutralized and the four kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt.
The victims whose names were given as: Onwuka Chimela; Onwuka Emeh Chinaza, Israel Ikemsinachi Ukandu and Ibiam Kingsley, all male, were immediately taken to the Police Hospital, for medical attention.
Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, six magazines, and 34 rounds of live ammunition from the suspected criminals.
While the command said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang who escaped with bullet injuries, the state Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa has advised people of the state to report anyone with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or contact the Command through the following emergency numbers: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08079210006.
Meanwhile, the state Governor, Alex Otti has commended the good job done by the command.
Speaking during a press briefing at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, Otti thanked CP Danladi Isa and his men for the successful operation that led to the feat achieved.
“There have been a lot of operations left, right and center but the way this happened gave us a lot of worry and I want to congratulate the CP and his team for doing the needful and getting our citizens who were kidnapped a few days ago back in one piece.
“We want to thank God that none of them was wounded, because in the exchange of fire, anything could have happened. We thank God that they were all rescued alive and healthy.”
The Governor vowed to continue to upgrade the technology used by the Police for effective combating of crime in order to keep Abia State safe and free from the activities of criminal elements.
“I want to thank all of you and reassure Abians and investors that Abia State will continue to be safe for residents and everyone who wants to live or do business in the state.
“For us in Abia, security is critical. I had said it time and time again, that we would not yield any inch of Abia to criminals. I thank God that the Police and other security agencies are also very willing and able to use technology which has helped in enforcing law and order here.
“We will continue to upgrade the technology, I know in no distant future, we will have a command and control centre here in the State capital,” Otti stated.
He said he had already instructed that the bungalow in Osokwa, Osisioma LGA where the kidnappers operated from and kept the kidnapped victims should be brought down completely and the owner of the house be arrested and prosecuted.
“I will also instruct the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to invite the traditional ruler of the area where the kidnappers operated from and have a safe haven for a chat and questioning because it is strange that no one reported such movement in such a small community to the law enforcement agencies.”
Narrating his ordeal, one of the rescued victims (name withheld), said on Sunday, March 9, at about 8 pm they were going to drop one of their friends off around Osusu Amaukwa village in Obingwa LGA, when the kidnappers numbering about four, who had already abducted someone and his vehicle double-crossed their vehicle and kidnapped three of them at gunpoint and drove them an unknown destination.
He said they were at the kidnappers’ den from that Sunday, till Friday, during which period they lost their phones and money through e- transfer.
“We were kept in a room without any ventilation; a very small room. There was no window. We were there for like five days. So, they collected the phone numbers of our family members who they were contacting to get ransom.
“On Friday afternoon, after we had prayed, we heard gunshots. That was when the Nigeria Police came for our rescue. They exchanged gunfire with the kidnappers and by the special grace of God, they rescued and saved us unharmed. They (the police) broke the door where the kidnappers kept us and brought us out of the place” he narrated.
The victim equally told newsmen they were hearing the voices of people including children around the house where they were kept by the kidnappers.
He added that they heard a carpenter working in the next room on Wednesday night.
The rescued victim thanked Governor Otti and the Police for their professional conduct and the deployment of modern technology to track and rescue them unhurt.
