Ben Ezechime, Enugu
The Police Command in Enugu State says it has rescued four traders kidnapped by gunmen and taken to a forest at Aishi-Ette in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area of the state.
According to the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, the victims were reportedly kidnapped at Umuopu village, along Ette/Ogugu Road, on 23rd June, 2023 at about 9.30 pm.
They were said to be traders traveling to Obollo-Afor, Udenu LGA, Enugu State, from Ankpa, Kogi State, for business when they were abducted at gunpoint.
The police said that the hoodlums had demanded a ransom of N10 million from each of the victims.
In a statement issued on Sunday night by Ndukwe said the victims (two male and two females) were rescued by police operatives serving in Igbo-Eze North Division, with active assistance of the Forest Guard and members of Neighbourhood Watch.
Ndukwe said: “The kidnappers, most of whom escaped with varying degrees of gunshot wounds, abandoned the victims due to the superior firepower of the Operatives.
“However, one of the victims who sustained a gunshot wound on his left thigh during the duel was moved to the hospital and is responding to treatment and in stable condition; while others and all the Operatives returned unscathed.”
The PRO further quoted the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, to have commended the team for acting on the strategies devised and adhering to his earlier order on the massive deployment of personnel and operational resources of the Command, to contain criminal cases of abduction/kidnapping in the State.
According to him: “The CP also charged them and all the Operatives of the Command to remain focused and sustain the onslaught against criminal elements, reiterating that the Police will never rest on their oars until the State is rid of unrepentant criminals and their activities.
“Ammani urged members of the public, especially owners of medical facilities, to report anyone sighted with gunshot injuries to the nearest Police Station for necessary action, in accordance with the Compulsory Treatment and Care for Victims of Gunshot Act 2017.”
