In a daring rescue operation, the Anambra State Police Command successfully liberated a kidnap victim following a dramatic exchange of gunfire with fleeing abductors in Umuota Village, Obosi, located within the Idemili North Local Government Area of the state.
The victim, known only as Abuchi and hailing from Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State, had been forcibly taken on a fateful Saturday evening. However, thanks to the vigilance of local residents who promptly alerted law enforcement authorities, a tragic ending was averted.
State police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, issued a press statement on Sunday detailing the sequence of events. According to Ikenga, police operatives were engaged in anti-crime patrol duties in Obosi at approximately 7:30 PM on Saturday when they were flagged down by concerned members of the community, reporting a kidnapping incident in progress.
In a tense standoff, a fierce exchange of gunfire erupted between the police and the kidnappers. The confrontation resulted in one of the abductors being shot and subsequently apprehended, while the others managed to escape, some of them nursing gunshot wounds.
Recovered from the gang were a double-barrelled pistol, two live cartridges, and one expended cartridge. The captured suspect identified himself as Nwasu Ikenna from Obosi and provided crucial information about his fleeing accomplices, naming them as Ebuka (known as “Big”), Chinedu Emmanuel, and Chukwu Ojoto. Notably, the hoodlum identified Ebuka as the leader of their criminal gang.
Tragically, while en route to receive medical treatment, the wounded apprehended suspect succumbed to his injuries, adding a grim note to this daring police operation.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing battle against criminal elements in Anambra State and the unwavering commitment of law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety and security of its residents. The Anambra State Police Command continues to urge citizens to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities, contributing to the collective effort to combat crime in the region.