by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna Police Command says it has rescued one Abuja kidnapped victim in Kaduna and his vehicle, and also arrested the kidnapper, who was Kano-bound, and recovered his operational firearms.
This was contained in a statement, dated 18th January, 2024, and signed by the Command’s police spokesman, ASP Mansur Hassan, on Thursday in Kaduna State.
The release averred that, CP A.D. Ali had earlier given strict order to the Police Operatives to deny criminal elements any active space as part of the renewed vigour to ensuring safety of lives and property of the public in Kaduna State.
It further stated that, owning to the strict order of the CP, “Personnel of the Command rescued a victim kidnapped from Abuja, arrested one of the kidnappers, claiming Chinaza Philip, and recovered the victim’s vehicle and kidnappers’ operational firearms.”
“On the 18th January, 2024, Operatives attached to Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna, received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja, indicating the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.
“The said Operatives at about 0010 hours blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van, registration number Abuja RBC 90 DC, with four passengers – the driver inclusive – suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.
“On sensing danger and, in an effort to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the Policemen and they (police) responded accordingly.
“In the resulting gun duel, the victim, bearing Segun Akinyemi, of Block 10, flat 2 FCDA Quarters, Area 3 Garki Abuja, was rescued, and one of the kidnappers, a 28 years’ old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja was arrested, while three others escaped although trailed.
“Equally, the said vehicle, belonging to the victim, two numbers of Retay G17 model pistol, one Berretta pistol, ten 9mm P.A.K ammunitions and five 9mm special ammunitions, were recovered from the kidnappers,” it noted.
The release stressed that, preliminary inquiries revealed that the victim was abducted at about 1700 hours on the 17th January, 2024, by the kidnappers just when he was leaving his home situated at the aforementioned address.
“The three escapees were; Chidibere Nwodibo of Life Camp Abuja, one Auwal (surname unknown) and the gang leader, whose identity is yet to be ascertained. “The kidnappers were transporting their victim to Kano before they were intercepted by the Police,” it stated.
The Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Command, CP A.D. Ali, psc, while commending the Operatives for the brave feat, still tasked them to continuously go after criminal elements in the State.
He also called on members of the public to avail themselves with security agencies’ hotlines for any distress call requiring prompt response.