A crossfire between suspected kidnappers and operatives of the Delta Police Command, on Sunday morning, has led to the rescue of 13 abducted victims and the death of one kidnap suspect.
Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Bright Edafe, made the disclosure on Sunday evening in a statement made available to journalists.
Edafe, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, said “today 3/4/2022 at about 0840hours, information got to the Command that a gang of daredevil kidnappers intercepted a 14-seater bus with Reg No M831-FJK along Aniagbala Community via Ubulu-uku express road in Aniocha south LGA, conveying 16 occupants, kidnapped 13 of the passengers and taken to the bush.
“The Delta State Commissioner, of Police CP Ari Muhammed Ali, directed the DPO Ogwashi-Uku Division to lead men into the bush and ensure that the victims were rescued unhurt and also arrest the suspects.
“The DPO, CSP Mohammed Naallah, swiftly led a combined team of Police operatives and vigilantes into the bush and gave the hoodlums a hot chase which led to an exchange of gunfire.”
One of the suspects was hit and died on the spot while the other members of the gang escaped with bullet injuries.
“All 13 kidnapped victims were rescued alive and unhurt and one AK47 rifle was recovered.
“The bush is still being combed with a view to arresting the other fleeing members of the gang.”
Meanwhile, in a similar situation, operatives on Friday, April 1, rescued a victim from his kidnappers at Igbide community, Oleh, Isoko South Local Government Area of the state.
The victim was abducted by about five suspected kidnappers on March 29, kept inside the boot of his blue coloured Toyota Camry and driven to an isolated bush path in Igbide.
Acting on a tip-off, the hoodlums were intercepted by police and vigilante operatives led by the DPO Oleh Division, SP Paul Obaware.
The victim was rescued and one of the suspects, 29-year-old James Michael, a.k.a biggy who was said to have been on the command’s wanted list was arrested.