The Anambra State Police Command revealed that they stopped a kidnapping group on Friday and rescued four men who had been kidnapped by the “daring and reckless kidnappers.”
The state police spokesperson, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, shared this information in a press release on Saturday, stating that the kidnappers were transporting the victims to an unfamiliar location before they were stopped.
Ikenga explained that the police officers, along with local vigilantes, intercepted the kidnappers on the Amagu-Awgbu Road in Orumba North Local Government Area as they were trying to leave the state.
He mentioned, “The group, upon seeing the patrol team, started shooting, but were overpowered by the police and vigilantes. Two out of the three vehicles used by the group were disabled.
“A few members of the group fled in the third vehicle, while others with gunshot wounds escaped into the bush on foot. One pump action gun was seized during the confrontation.
“Additionally, two SUVs were recovered – a 2017 Toyota Highlander with registration number Abuja GWA 141 KZ, and a Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with registration number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV were meant for a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle.”
The spokesperson also stated that “four kidnapped victims were safely rescued from the group. Initial debriefing to understand the circumstances of their abduction is ongoing.”
He added that the state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who described the rescue of the victims as “heroic,” has commended the effective collaboration between the police and vigilantes across the state.
He stressed that as long as protecting the citizens is the priority, the police will work closely with all relevant parties to eliminate any threats faced by the people.
“The Commissioner of Police has instructed that the case be transferred to the anti-kidnapping unit in Awkuzu. The unit has been tasked with using its expertise to track down the members of the group who escaped the confrontation at Awgbu and bring them to justice,” Ikenga added.
