•Arms, ammunition, stolen vehicle recovered
Two suspected kidnappers were killed while the third one escaped with gunshot injuries during a gun duel with operatives from Ekpan police station in Delta State Police Command who went to rescue a victim (name withheld).
Recovered from the kidnap suspects were the victim’s vehicle, two single-barrel and one double- barrel guns, with two expended cartridges.
Thenewsbearer learnt that the intelligence-driven operation was led by the Ekpan Divisional Police Officer, CSP Aliyu Shaba, following the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass, when a kidnap case was reported on Saturday, December 30, 2023, at about 7:30pm.
According to a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, a 23-year-old man (name withheld) had parked his black color Mercedes Benz GLK 350 SUV along Jakpa Road, leaving his brother who turned victim inside the vehicle as he went about other activities.
While there, he was alerted that the vehicle was attacked by three armed men who carried the vehicle with his brother in it, driving off to an unknown destination.
“Upon receipt of this information, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, Wale Abass, directed the DPO Ekpan, CSP Aliyu Shaba, to mobilise operatives and ensure that the victim is rescued and the suspects arrested and brought to book.
“The DPO, in compliance with the CP’s directive, led a surveillance team attached to Ekpan division for the operation.”
The PPRO said that while acting on a technically-generated intelligence, the team proceeded to a bush at Ekakpamre, Ughelli-South Local Government Area.
However, on sighting the operatives, the kidnappers engaged them in gun duel but fell to the superior powers of the police, with two of them fatally injured while one other escaped with gunshot injuries.
“The kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt, while two single-barrel and one double-barrel gun with two expended cartridges were recovered, alongside the vehicle.
“The two injured suspects were taken to a hospital where they were certified dead by the doctor on duty. Efforts are on to arrest the injured suspect who escaped,” Edafe stated.
In his comment, CP Abass lauded officers and men of the command for their tireless efforts in ensuring safety and security in 2023.
Reminding them that the reward for hard work is more work, the police boss urged them to up their strategies in the fight against crime and criminality.
I’m addition, CP Abass sent out a clear message to the public, saying that the police would not hesitate to take all appropriate steps against criminals, and that anyone planning to disrupt the existing peace within Delta State would be dealt with decisively.
He expressed appreciation to all Deltans and residents of the state for their maximum cooperation and compliance with the laws during the festive season, which further led to hitch-free celebrations.
He urged the public to strengthen their trust in the police as they curb all criminal activities in the the state.
