Rivers police smashes kidnapping syndicate

The Rivers State Police Command says it has smashed a kidnap syndicate and released hostages.

The command in a statement released by its Public Relations Officer, Omoni Nnamdi, a Deputy Superintendent Of Police, DSP, said the syndicate was smashed through intelligence report that kidnappers who killed two mobile policemen attached to 48 PMF at Omerelu in Ikwerre Local Government Area and made away with their rifles, were spotted with six men suspected to have been abducted.

”Our intelligence led the team to their camp where on sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire and our men replied. After the shooting, some kidnap victims, Damiete Clinton Amachree, Weldly Udo Abasi, Deacon Sebastian Amenkhienan, Reverend Ogagarue and Ibe Onyebuchi, a staff of MCC Nigeria Limited, were rescued.

”Two of the kidnappers were also shot dead and two AK 47 rifles with S/Nos. 0325836, 3552713 and 80 rounds of ammunition were recovered. Investigation is on-going at the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU).

In a related development, operatives of the Command’s Crack Team arrested a gang of suspected kidnappers along Elele-Owerri Road.

During the operation, a kidnap victim, Oka Emmanuel, was rescued.

Items recovered from the suspects include a Sienna car with registration number ERY 679 GR, a Honda Accord Care with Reg. No. AHD 485 RX and one Toyota Sienna car with Reg. No. APP 292 DD

The Command said efforts to arrest other fleeing members of the gang were ongoing.

The Command re-affirmed its stance to nib crime in the bud in the state, assuring all and sundry that Rivers State will be safe again.