Enugu State Police Command has revealed how its operatives eliminated two notorious kidnappers in the State who demanded N40 million before the release of their victim.
This was contained in a statement by the police spokesperson, Daniel Ndukwe, on Friday, October 18.
He stated that the suspects were members of a kidnap syndicate terrorizing residents of the State for some times now.
According to him, the suspects were killed on Thursday during a raid on their hideout in Nokpa-Nike, Enugu East Local Government Area of the State.
Ndukwe stated that the operation was in response to a tip-off about kidnap attacks in the area.
He said operatives from the Enugu State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping, Distress Response, and Special Intervention Squads carried out the operation.
According to him, the police operatives rescued a kidnapped victim during the operation which was conducted at about 8 p.m.
“Upon the operatives’ arrival, the kidnappers opened fire, prompting a return of fire.
“In the process, two of the suspects were neutralized. While others fled with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.”
“A manhunt for the fleeing suspects and others linked to the syndicate is underway,” the spokesperson said.
Ndukwe, however, stated that the rescued victim was identified as a personal assistant to an unnamed “public figure” in Nigeria.
He said the victim was kidnapped on September 27, in the Trans-Ekulu Area of Enugu, Enugu State.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that this criminal group had demanded a ransom of N40,000,000 for the release of the victim,” he said.
The spokesperson stated that “One G-3 rifle, two AK-47 rifles, three magazines, and one hundred and twenty-five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the suspects during the operation.
He stated that the suspects were responsible for “several” kidnap attacks within the Enugu metropolis and its environs.
“Some of their members had previously been arrested and arraigned in court, with firearms and ammunition recovered from them,” he said.
The spokesperson added that the Enugu State Government has demolished buildings used by the suspects for kidnapping.
Ndukwe also stated that the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Kanayo Uzuegbu, has commended bravery of the police. He praised the operatives’ for their efforts in carrying out the operation.
The Commissioner, however, reiterated the resolve of the police to fight crime in the State.
Uzuegbu also called on Nigerians to remain law-abiding and to be vigilant. He, therefore, urged the residents to support the police in their fight against crimes.
source: Premium Times
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