In a daring operation, the Anambra State Police force successfully rescued four individuals who were kidnapped by a group of criminals on Friday.
According to a statement by DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the State Police Public Relations Officer, the rescue operation occurred during routine patrols and snap checks in collaboration with local vigilantes along the Amagu Awgbu Road in Orumba North LGA. The kidnappers, upon encountering the police-vigilante team, engaged in a firefight but were ultimately overpowered.
The exchange resulted in the demobilization of two of the three vehicles used by the criminals. While some members of the gang managed to escape in the remaining vehicle, others fled into the nearby bush with gunshot wounds. During the confrontation, law enforcement recovered a pump-action gun along with two SUVs: 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. Interestingly, investigation revealed that the number plates on the Mercedes-Benz SUV were falsely issued to a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle.
All four abducted victims were safely rescued without any harm and are currently undergoing preliminary debriefing to ascertain the circumstances of their abduction.
Commending the collaborative effort between the police and vigilantes, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, lauded the successful rescue as heroic. He stressed the importance of prioritizing citizen safety and affirmed the commitment of law enforcement to work closely with relevant stakeholders to eliminate any threats to the community.
Furthermore, CP Adeoye has directed that the case be transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Awkuzu for further investigation. The unit has been tasked with utilizing their expertise to track down the remaining members of the gang who escaped the initial encounter in Awgbu and bring them to justice.