Operatives attached to the Abia State Police Command have neutralised four notorious kidnappers operating within the Abia State and Rivers State boundaries in a shootout.
NigeriaCrime.com learned that the kidnappers who have their base at Osisioma Ngwa council area of Abia State got into a fierce gun duel with the Abia police anti-kidnaping unit, Aba annex, led by SP Oracle Emeka.
According to a police source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, SP Emeka and his team acting on a tip-off, raided the kidnappers’ hideout.
On sighting the police, the kidnappers engaged them in a gun battle leading to the death of the four hoodlums with zero injuries on the part of the police.
The source said that on the directive of the Abia State Police Commissioner, Mustapha Mohammed Bala that the State must be safe and peaceful under him, the anti-kidnapping unit, Aba annex moved to the kidnappers’ camp in a border town near Obigbo, Rivers State.
The Abia anti-kidnapping unit Aba annex, after overpowering the kidnappers in a gun battle, also rescued two female kidnap victims who were kept at the kidnappers’ den while awaiting ransoms from their families.
“At the police arrival into the kidnappers’ hideout, the kidnappers who were armed with AK 47 rifles and pump action opened fire on the Police team but were overpowered by the Police. The two kidnapped female victims were rescued unhurt.
“As a result of the exchange of fire, the kidnappers couldn’t stand the police firepower and their corpses are currently deposited at the teaching hospital mortuary in Aba,” the source said.
In a similar situation, the anti-kidnapping unit, Aba annex also arrested three suspected armed robbers in Aba through a tip-off.
The source said that upon interrogation one of the suspected armed robbers revealed that he is not only into armed robbery but also into kidnapping and mentioned the names of his members who have been arrested by the police and will be charged in court soon
Items recovered from the gang include AK-47 rifles, pump action guns, different vehicle plate numbers and two vehicles from the kidnappers.
Also recovered are English M9 Barreta Pistol, a PoS machine which they use to transfer victims’ money.
Residents of the Osisioma Ngwa area commended the anti-kidnapping unit for a job well done stressing that the area will enjoy a safer festive season without the dreaded kidnappers.