Ike Nnachi, Abakaliki
The Police in Ebonyi on Sunday engaged kidnappers of a clergy in a shootout killing one of them and rescuing their victim unhurt.
Police spokesperson, Onome Onovwakpoyeya, confirmed the incident.
She said two other members of the kidnap gang were also arrested after a shootout.
Onome said the Commissioner of Police, Faleye Olaleye, had received a distress call that the victim, a clergy, had been kidnapped.
She said the CP immediately swung into action by mobilising the tactical teams and the Divisional Police Officer of Ebonyi Division to condone and barricade marked out areas.
“The Department of State service was equally involved in getting the location of the victim.
“The kidnappers were intercepted along Ndofia Ishieke and Edupfu Egbu Ishieke in Ebonyi Local Government Area, where they abandoned the victim and took to their heels while exchanging gunshots with the Police to pave way for their escape,” she said.
The spokesperson noted that unfortunately, they were over-powered by the superior fire power of the police.
She explained that this led to one of the kidnappers being neutralised and arrest of two principal suspects.
“Two (2) AK47 and One (1) Lar rifles were recovered. Also recovered were two (2) vehicles including that of the victim.”
“The Commissioner of Police is using this medium to warn criminals to lay down their arms or leave the state,” she said.
Onome urged members of the public to contact the control room number 07064515001 in case of any distress.
