Kidnapping: Police Neutralise Suspect, Rescue Victim In Anambra
BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Operatives of a joint anti-crime squad of the Anambra State Police Command have killed a suspected member of a kidnap gang that is operating in the State.
The Police Command Public Relations Officer (PRO), SP Tochukwu Ikenga who confirmed the incident said the suspect was neutralised during a gun duel at about 8:30pm on Friday along Agulu-Nnobi Road in Anaocha local government area.
Ikenga said in a statement that the joint security team, also comprising some operatives of the Anambra State Vigilant Group (AVG), was escorting a VIP, when some hoodlums operating in two SUV vehicles engaged them in a fierce exchange of fireworks.
The Police Spokesperson identified the vehicles involved as a grey-coloured Lexus ES330 with registration number ACA 551 MA, and, ash-colured Toyota Highlander with registration number SMK 544.
He said the security team, however, overpowered the hoodlums, killing one of them while they recovered a pump action gun, five live cartridges, five machetes, the two SUVs and two pairs of deserted shoes.
Ikenga further stated that some of the gang members escaped into a nearby bush in the area with bullet wounds
According to the Police Spokesperson, the security team had since boosted and sustained operations in the area towards arresting the fleeing gang members
He pleaded with members of the public, especially residents of the area to assist the Command with useful information that could help in arresting and bringing the hoodlums to justice.
Meanwhile, another joint security team attached to Dunukofia Police Division in Dunukofia Local Government of the State also rescued two abductees around the Ukwulu Community of Idemili-North Local Government area following a tip off and distress call by a informant
Ikenga said the victims were abducted at about 7am on Wednesday somewhere along Ugwunwasike-Ogidi Road but unfortunately one of the rescued abductees shot at by the hoodlums was later confirmed dead by a medical personnel at the hospital where the police took them for treatment.
He stated that the victim was shot when the kidnappers noticed that they were being trailed by the police, adding that they later abandoned both victims as well as their operational vehicle and fled on noticing that the Police were hot on their trail
The Police image maker said the Command’s operations have been sustained across the State to track down the fleeing criminals and ensure that are made to face the full weight of the law.
