Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have rescued a kidnap victim and recovered an operational vehicle in Oyigbo, Rivers State.
According to a press release from the Command’s spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, the incident occurred on November 17 at about 8:23 p.m.
Iringe-Koko said a distress call was received indicating that four armed men, operating in a black Toyota Corolla kidnapped one Madabuchi Julius at Sabbath Filling Station in Oyigbo, after firing sporadically to scare off bystanders.
Iringe-Koko noted that Police operatives were immediately mobilized to the scene.
The police spokesperson added that on sighting the officers, the kidnappers attempted to escape in their vehicle.
Iringe-Koko noted that a high-speed chase ensued, culminating in a gunfight along Egbu Street, Oyigbo.
“Overpowered by the police’s superior firepower, the kidnappers abandoned their victim and the operational vehicle, fleeing the scene. The victim was rescued unharmed, and the vehicle, with registration number RIVERS PHC 938 AH, was recovered”, Iringe-Koko said.
Iringe-Koko said investigations are ongoing, with efforts intensified to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover their weapons.
In a related development, on November 18 at about 10:48 p.m., police operatives carried out a covert operation on St. Lorinta Street, Oyigbo, acting on credible intelligence.
During the operation, Iringe-Koko said a 25-year-old Gabriel Morris, a resident of Mercy Ground, Kom-Kom, Oyigbo LGA, was apprehended.
During interrogation, Morris confessed to being a member of a criminal syndicate that has been terrorizing Oyigbo and its environs. Items recovered from him include a locally made pistol and a quantity of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp.
The Rivers State Police reiterated its commitment to combating kidnapping and other crimes across the state.
Iringe-Koko said efforts are ongoing to apprehend Morris’s accomplices and dismantle the syndicate.
Iringe-Koko commended the swift and coordinated efforts of the operatives, emphasizing the Command’s dedication to ensuring safety and security in Rivers State.
