Four Kidnap Victims Rescued In Anambra

Four men abducted on Friday in Anambra State have been rescued, THE WHISTLER gathered on Saturday.

They were rescued by police operatives alongside members of a vigilant group during a patrol along Amagu Awgbu road in Orumba North Local Government Area as they were heading towards an exit route from the state.

The gang opened fire on sighting the patrol team, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tochukwu Uchendu, confirmed, adding that, “Two of the three vehicles the gang operated with were demobilised.”

DSP Ikenga added that, “While the remnant of the gang escaped in the third vehicle, other gangsters fled into the bush on foot with bullet wounds. One pump action gun was recovered during the encounter.”

Also recovered were two SUVs – one 2017 edition of Toyota Highlander with registration number Abuja GWA 141 KZ, and one Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with registration number Anambra AGU 242 NQ, police said.

According to the PPRO, “Preliminary enquiries revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV were issued to a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle. Four abducted victims were rescued unhurt from the gang.”

Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, who described the rescue of the victims as heroic, commended the effective collaboration between police and vigilantes across the state.

He assured that the operatives would work “seamlessly with all relevant stakeholders to eradicate all vestiges of threat that may be confronting the people.”

He directed that the case be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Awkuzu, and charged the unit to deploy all expertise in tracking down gang members who escaped arrest.