Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have rescued nine passengers kidnapped by gunmen along the East-West road in Emohua Local Government Area of the state.
The victims were travelling from Osun State to Rivers State when they were kidnapped.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Nwonyi Polycarp Emeka disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the command headquarters in Tuesday, June 13, 2023.
According to the CP, five of the victims were rescued from the forest last Friday while four others held in captivity were rescued from the kidnappers’ camp the following day.
“On Friday, 09/06/2023 at about 2340hrs while on routine patrol, Operatives of the Command received information that hoodlums were operating along the East-West Road between Eveku and Oduoha in Emohua Local Government Area of the State,” the statement read.
“On arrival at the scene, operatives combed the forest and, five victims were rescued. They were all traveling from Osun State to Rivers State.
Upon frantic efforts both by the Police and Local Vigilantes, after a gun battle with the hoodlums at their camp, four more abducted victims that were still in captivity were rescued unhurt, on 10/06/2023, at about 1040hrs. The rescued victims have been debriefed and allowed to reunite with their families.
Similarly, the commissioner said operatives of the command also arrested four robbery suspects.
The two suspected robbers, Nnaa David Tombari ‘M’ and one Ephraim Zinas ‘M’ were arrested with one long single barrel locally made gun while on patrol.
Speaking further, the CP said police operatives intercepted two robbery suspects, recovered seven plate numbers of different vehicles and charms from them.
“On Saturday, 10/06/2023 at about 1030hrs, along Railway Club Port Harcourt, a patrol team from the Intelligence and Surveillance Unit intercepted a Toyota Camry Custom Colour, 2019 model with Reg No. CRSJ 36 driven by one Kingsley Samuel “M” and Arise Sampson Ayodele ‘m’ as occupants.
“Seven plate numbers of different vehicles, namely: BKW 616 PZ Delta, EFR 268 TT Delta, KLK 553 KX Delta, EFR 677 TK Delta, KUJ 260 KC Abuja, and B 826 CQ Abuja, six number guards, charms, etc., were recovered and brought to the police base,”
“Investigation is ongoing, and efforts intensified to arrest the other suspects still at large. All suspects will be arraigned in court upon completion of the investigation.”
