Ugo Nosiri, Owerri
The Imo State Police Command said it had rescued a victim of attempted kidnap along Umuezorokam-Avu in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.
A release signed by the Force Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Henry Okoye, said that the rescue followed distress call received from a good samaritan who sighted hoodlums armed with dangerous weapons attacking a young man with a machete in an attempt to kidnap him.
The DPO in charge of Nekede Divisional headquarters swiftly mobilised his men and stormed the scene with the assistance of the Local vigilantes.
The release stated that the hoodlums on sighting the police, immediately opened fire but were overwhelmed by the resistance showcased by the operatives.
Two of the criminal syndicates were neutralised In the ensuing gun duel, while others escaped to the adjoining bushes with various degrees of gunshot injuries.
The PPRO also stated that the victim was rescued with a deep machete cut on his hand and other parts of his body and was immediately rushed to Federal Medical Center Owerri, where he is currently receiving medical attention while the lifeless bodies of the neutralised hoodlums have been deposited at the morgue for preservation.
According to the press release, one locally-made cut-to-size gun, two cutlasses, and charms were recovered on the neutralised hoodlums, while efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing members of the criminal syndicate.
The Commissioner of Police Imo State, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, while commending the DPO in Nekede, his men, and the local vigilantes for a job well done, reaffirmed the Command’s unresolved commitment to ensuring that the lives and properties of all and sundry in the State are adequately protected.
