An Anti-Crime Squad of the Anambra State Police Command successfully rescued four men who were kidnapped by daring criminals on March 8, 2024.
During routine patrol and snap checks, the Police team, in collaboration with local vigilantes, intercepted the kidnappers along Amagu-Awgbu Road in Orumba North local government area of the State as they attempted to flee. Upon sighting the Police team, the suspects opened fire in an attempt to deter the security operatives and facilitate their escape.
However, the Police-Vigilantes team, well-prepared for combat, responded with superior firepower.
The security team managed to immobilize two of the three vehicles used by the gang, while some members of the gang escaped with the third vehicle. Others, whose vehicles were rendered immobile, fled into the bush on foot with gunshot wounds.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, confirmed the incident, revealing that one Pump Action Gun was recovered during the encounter.
Additionally, two SUVs were seized—a 2017 edition of Toyota Highlander with Reg. No. Abuja GWA 141 KZ and a Mercedes Benz GLK 350 4Matic with Registration Number Anambra AGU 242 NQ.
The PPRO disclosed that the number plates on the Mercedes Benz SUV recovered from the criminals were registered to a Toyota Sienna Spacewagon vehicle. All four abducted victims were successfully rescued unharmed during the operation.
Tochukwu stated that preliminary debriefing is ongoing to determine the circumstances of the victim’s abduction. The State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, lauded the heroic rescue and commended the effective collaboration between the Police and Vigilantes across the State.
CP Adeoye emphasized the commitment to citizen protection, assuring seamless cooperation with relevant stakeholders to eradicate threats to the people.
The Commissioner directed the transfer of the case to the Anti-kidnapping Unit of the Police Command at Awkuzu and mandated the unit to utilize its expertise in tracking down the escaped gang members for justice.
