The Anambra State Police Command said it intercepted a kidnapping gang on Friday and rescued four men who had already been abducted by the “dare-devil kidnappers.
“DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, a state police spokesman, revealed this in a press statement on Saturday, adding that the kidnappers were transporting the victims to an unknown location before being intercepted.
According to Ikenga, police officers on patrol with local vigilantes apprehended the kidnappers on the Amagu-Awgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area as they were attempting to flee the state.
He stated, “The gang, which opened fire sporadically when they saw the patrol team, surrendered to the police-vigilante’s superior firepower. Two of the gang’s three vehicles were demobilised.”As a remnant of the gang fled in the third vehicle, other gangsters fled into the bush on foot with bullet wounds. During the encounter, one pump-action gun was recovered.
“Two SUVs were also recovered: a 2017 Toyota Highlander with the registration number Abuja GWA 141 KZ and a Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 4Matic with the registration number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.
“A preliminary investigation revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes-Benz SUV were issued to a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle.”The spokesperson also stated that “four abducted victims were rescued unharmed from the gang.” Preliminary debriefing to determine the circumstances of their abduction is ongoing.
“He added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who described the victims’ rescue as “heroic,” praised the effective collaboration between police and vigilantes throughout the state.
He emphasised that once the protection of citizens is prioritized, the police will collaborate seamlessly with all relevant stakeholders to eliminate any threats to the public.
“The Commissioner of Police has ordered that the case be transferred to the anti-kidnapping unit in Awkuzu.
He has directed the unit to use its expertise in tracking down and prosecuting gang members who escaped the onslaught at Awgbu,” Ikenga added.