Rivers State Police Command said it arrested four suspected kidnappers along Omerelu/Elele/Owerri road in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
According to a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, DSP Omoni Nnamdi, the arrest was made after a joint operation of the Elele Division and other tactical units of the command combed bushes in the said communities.
“The Rivers State Police Command led by CP Francis Odesanya, who has sworn to deal ruthlessly with criminals in the state, especially those who refuse to repent and turn a new leaf, recorded a major breakthrough in crime fighting as the command this morning, Tuesday, September 6 at 0200hrs in a joint operation comprising the Elele Division and other tactical units raided some bushes along the Omerelu/Elele/Owerri road, where they smashed a kidnapping den, after a fierce gun battle and arrested the followings persons: Richard Chukwu ‘m’, Goodluck Richard ‘m’, Ikechukwu Richard alias Military man ‘m’, Omereji James alias Tompolo ‘m’, Stephen Omereji ‘m’.
“Items recovered from the hoodlums include: two pump action riffles with 20 live cartridges. They are currently cooling their heels at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the command.’’
The statement also informed that the command’s tactical unit on Monday, September 9, rescued four hostages who were kidnapped since August in a forest at Ubima community in Ikwerre Local Government Area, adding that four of the kidnappers died during a fierce gun battle.
“The hostages who regained their freedom are as follows: Okwananaso Anya Johnson ‘m’, Christian Azuzu ‘m’, Ejezie Chinedu ‘m’, Prophetess Ngozi Daniel ‘f’. They have been debriefed and have since reunited with their families.
“The commissioner of police once again wishes to reiterate his earlier stance that criminals must relocate from the state or meet their waterloo and urged the people to rekindle their trust in the police to make the state safe,” the statement added.
NIGERIA PILOT
