Personnel of Kaduna state Police Command has rescued a victim of abduction, arrested one of the kidnappers, and recovered the vehicle of the victim and the firearms used by the kidnappers in carrying out the operational.
A statement signed on Thursday by the Kaduna state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Mansur Hassan said the police are on the trail of three other members of the suspected kidnap gang who escaped after a gun duel with the Police, adding that the Commissioner of Police commended the operatives and tasked them not to relent in the fight against criminals.
“In a renewed vigour to ensuring safety of lives and properties of the public in Kaduna state owing to the strict orders of the Commissioner of Police Kaduna Command, CP A.D. Ali to Police Operatives to deny criminal elements any active space, personnel of the Command rescued a victim kidnapped from Abuja, arrested one of the kidnappers, recovered victim vehicle and kidnappers’ operational firearms.
“On the 18th January, 2024 Operatives attached to Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja indicating that the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna. The Operatives at about 0010 hours blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van registration number Abuja RBC 90 DC with four passengers the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.
“On sensing danger and in an effort to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the Policemen and they responded accordingly. In the resulting gun duel the victim a certain Segun Akinyemi of block 10, flat 2 FCDA quarters Area 3 Garki Abuja was rescued and one of the kidnappers, a 28 years old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja was arrested while three others escaped although trailed. The vehicle belonging to the victim, two numbers of Retay G17 model pistol, one Beretta pistol, 10 9mm P.A.K ammunition and five 9mm special ammunition were recovered from the kidnappers.
“Preliminary inquiries revealed that the victim was abducted at about 1700 hours on the 17th January, 2024 by the kidnappers just when he was leaving his home in Abuja. The three escapees were; Chidibere Nwodibo of Life Camp Abuja, one Auwal surname unknown and the gang leader whose identity is yet to be ascertained. The kidnappers were transporting their victim to Kano before they were intercepted by the Police.
“The Commissioner of Police Kaduna state Command, while commending the Operatives for the brave feat, still tasked them to continuously go after criminal elements in the state. He called on members of the public to avail themselves of security agency’s hotlines for any distress call requiring prompt response,” ASP Hassan said.
