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The men of the Nigeria Police, Abia State Command have rescued four kidnapped victims and neutralized six kidnapping suspects who engaged them in a gun battle.
Reacting to the development in the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Umuahia, the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti thanked the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa and his men for the successful operation that led to the feat achieved.
“There have been a lot of operations left, right and center but the way this happened gave us alot of worry and I want to congratulate the CP and his team for doing the needful and getting our citizens who were kidnapped a few days ago back in one piece.
“We want to thank God that none of them was wounded, because in the exchange of fire, anything could have happened. We thank God that they were all rescued alive and healthy,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti vowed to continue to keep Abia State safe and free from the activities of criminal elements including upgrading of the technology used by the Police for effective combating of crime.
“We will continue to do everything possible to keep the State safe.
“I want to thank all of you and reassure Abians and investors that Abia State will continue to be safe for residents and everyone who wants to live or do business in the State.
“For us in Abia, security is critical. I had said it time and time again, that we would not yield any inch of Abia to criminals. I thank God that the (Police) are also very willing and able to use technology which has helped in enforcing law and order here.
“We will continue to upgrade the technology, I know in no distant future, we will have a command and control centre here in the State capital,” Gov. Otti stated.
He said he had already instructed that the bungalow in Osokwa, Osisioma LGA where the kidnappers operated from and kept the kidnapped victims should be brought down completely and the owner of the house be arrested and prosecuted. I will also instruct the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to invite the traditional ruler of the area where the kidnappers operated from and had a safe heaven for a chat and questioning because it is strange that no one reported such movement in such small community to the law enforcement agencies.
Presenting the rescued victims and the tactical team members of the Nigeria Police, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP. Danladi Isa said that on the 9th of this month, four men were kidnapped along New Umuahia Road in Obingwa LGA.
He narrated how the Police was able to rescue them and neutralized majority of the kidnappers.
“They were double crossed by unknown gunmen, kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination.
“The tactical teams swung into action with the use of the technology we have, which is also what you (Gov. Otti) have assisted us with and in so doing, we have been on their trail and by the grace of God, we were able to track them to Osisioma area.
“In the exchange of gun fire that ensued, six of the kidnappers were neutralised and some escaped with bullet injuries. The Police are still searching for them and I can assure the public that they must be apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
“Two AK-47 were recovered, six magazines were also recovered, and 32 rounds of ammunition were also recovered,” CP. Isa stated.
He described the achievements made so far by the Police as the dividend of Governor Otti ‘s continuous support to security agencies.
In an interview with the Press, one of the kidnapped victim (name withheld) narrated their ordeals, informing the Press that on Sunday, the 9th of March, 2025, at about 8pm when they were going to drop one of their friends around Osusu Amaukwa village in Obingwa LGA, the kidnappers numbering about four, who had already abducted someone and his vehicle double-crossed their vehicle and kidnapped three of them at gun point and drove to them an unknown destination.
He said that they were at the kidnappers’ den from that Sunday, the 9th till Friday the 14th and disclosed that they lost their phones and money (through e- transfer).
“We were kept in a room without any ventilation; a very small room. There was no window. We were there for like five days. So, they collected the phone numbers of our family members who they were contacting to get ransom.
“On Friday afternoon, after we had prayed, we heard gunshots. That was when the Nigeria Police came for our rescue. They exchanged gun fire with the kidnappers and by the special grace of God, they rescued and saved us unharmed. They (the police) broke the door where the kidnappers kept us and brought us out of the place” he narrated.
The victim further told the Press they were hearing the voices of people including Children around the house where they were kept by the kidnappers. He said that they heard a carpenter working in the next room on Wednesday night.
