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Police recover kidnappers’ speedboat
From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
Fresh facts have emerged on how troops of the 6 Division of the Nigerian Army and other security agents rescued the Special Adviser (SA), Domestic Affairs to the Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Mr Akari Loveday, and his brother, Emmanuel Nathan Ogbuku.
Akari and Nathan were kidnapped on Friday, 7th March, along Ayakoro Community waterways in Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
According to Lt Col Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division, Army Public Relations, troops of 6 Division swiftly moved into the creeks, waterways, and rivulets in a comprehensive search-and-rescue operation, which eventually led to the release of Mr Akari Loveday and Nathan Ogbuku.
Danjuma stated that the operational feat was achieved through a painstaking operation conducted by the troops of the 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, in close synergy with Nigerian Navy Ship SOROH, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Police Force.
“The operation was largely successful due to the community support provided to the troops by members of the local community, who came out in their numbers to block possible exits of the criminals, a classical demonstration of community support to military operations. This forced the kidnappers to abandon their victims and flee into the creeks.
“The General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, while commending troops for the successful rescue operations, charged them to hunt down the kidnappers and free the waterways of criminal elements. Troops are currently combing the general area for the possible arrest of the criminals,” Danjuma added.
Another source disclosed that the location of the kidnappers was discovered after they made a phone call demanding ransom.
“The moment they made the call, their hideout was exposed. The State Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Francis Idu, provided his drone which the security agents used. The kidnappers also knew the game was up, but they fought their way to escape. They engaged the security agents in a gun battle before abandoning their victims at Ayama burial ground,” the source added.
Meanwhile, operatives of Operation Puff Adder of the Bayelsa State Police Command have recovered the speedboat used by the kidnappers in the operation.
Commenting on the success recorded by the men of Operation Puff Adder of the State Police Command, the State Commissioner of Police, Alonyenu Francis Idu, attributed the success in the police operation to community intelligence and security drone technology deployment, which aided the police operatives in the rescue operation.
CP Alonyenu Francis Idu, who was speaking during the “Thank You” call visit on him by Barr. Rex-Ogbuku Jude, a brother to Dr Ogbuku, said the intelligence gathering and drone technology deployed assisted and assured that the Police Command is ready to tackle crime and criminality in the state.
Idu also commended his officer, CSP Chris Nwaogbo, and his men for their gallantry in ensuring the rescue of the victims.
Earlier in his speech, Barr. Rex-Ogbuku Jude commended the Commissioner and men of the Bayelsa State Police Command for the quick response and rescue of their kinsmen.
“When the victims were rescued, the entire community was thrown into jubilations, and your policemen led by Chris Nwaogbo were prayed for by the elders and youths,” he said.