From Tony John, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command has rescued a kidnapped victim, Mr. Madabuchi Julius, from daredevil kidnappers in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state, after a gun battle between the gang and the police.
State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, a Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed the development to journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
She said that on November 17, 2024, at about 20:23 hrs, operatives of the Command received a distress call from their control Room indicating that a gang of armed men, numbering about four, operating in a black Toyota Corolla car, shot sporadically and kidnapped the victim at Sabbath Filling Station, Oyigbo.
The PPRO said the operatives were swiftly mobilised to the scene, and the hoodlums, upon sighting the police, drove off but were intercepted along Egbu Street, Oyigbo, where a gun duel ensued between the operatives and the hoodlums.
According to the PPRO, the gang could not withstand the police’s superior firepower and eventually abandoned the victim and their operational vehicle with registration number RIVERS PHC 938 AH, before escaping.
The operatives rescued the victim unhurt and recovered the vehicle.
In a related development, on November 18, 2024, at about 22:48 hrs, operatives of the Command acted on credible information, coordinated a covert operation at St. Lorinta Street, Oyigbo, and arrested 25-year-old Gabriel Morris, of Mercy Ground, Kom-Kom, Area, for his involvement in crime operations.
During interrogation, the suspect confessed to being a member of a syndicate that has been terrorising Oyigbo and its environs in recent times.
Items recovered from the suspect included a pistol and a quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police spokesperson stated that an investigation is ongoing in both cases, while concerted efforts are being made to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate.
She said, “This successful operation further demonstrates the effectiveness of the Rivers State Police Command in combating kidnapping and all other forms of crime in the state.”