23 hours ago
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PORT HARCOURT – Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command has thwarted a kidnap a recent attempt, rescuing the victim unhurt and recovering the operational vehicle of the armed hoodlums.
Daily Independent learnt that the victim, Mr. Madabuchi Julius, was abducted at Sabbath Filling Station in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State on Sunday, around 8:23pm by four armed men using a Black Toyota Corolla.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko in a statement on Wednesday said the police following a distress call swiftly moved to the scene and successfully intercepted the fleeing suspects.
SP Iringe-Koko, explained that the operatives upon intercepting the suspects along Egbu Street, Oyigbo following a hot pursuit, engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel, adding that the hoodlums who could not withstand the police superior fire power, abandoned the victim, their operational vehicle and escaped.
She said: “On the 17th of November, 2024, at about 2023hrs. Operatives of the Command received a distress call from the Command’s Control Room indicating that a gang of armed men numbering about four (4) operating in a Black colour Toyota Corolla car shot sporadically and kidnapped one Madabuchi Julius ‘m’ at Sabbath Filling Station, Oyigbo.
“Operatives were swiftly mobilized to the scene and the hoodlums on sighting the Police Operatives drove off, but they were given a hot chase by the operatives and subsequently intercepted along Egbu Street, Oyigbo and and a gun duel ensued between the Police Operatives and the hoodlums.
“The hoodlums could not withstand the Police superior fire power and eventually abandoned the victim and their operational vehicle with registration number RIVERS PHC 938 AH and escaped. The victim was rescued unhurt and the vehicle recovered.”
Iringe-Koko further revealed that the Police had intensified efforts to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recovering their operational weapons while investigation continues.
“Investigation is ongoing while concerted efforts are intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang and recover their operational weapons.”
In a related development, operatives of the Command, acting on credible intelligence on Monday at about 10:48pm, arrested one 25 year old Gabriel Morris at St Lorinta Street, Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State following a coordinated covert operation
According to Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, the suspect, after interrogation, confessed to being a member of a syndicate that has been terrorizing Oyigbo and its environs in recent times.
She noted the police subsequntly recovered One Locally made Pistol, Quantity of substance suspected to be Indian Hemp.
Iringe-Koko added that concerted efforts had been intensified to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate, while investigation was ongoing.
She added that the successful operation further demonstrates the effectiveness of the Rivers State Police Command in combating kidnapping and other forms of crimes in the state.
