The Police Command in Ebonyi on Tuesday foiled an attempted kidnap and rescued the victim.
A statement issued on Thursday in Abakaliki by the Spokesman of the Command, DSP Loveth Odah, said that the suspected leader of the gang was also killed when the hoodlums engaged the police team in a shootout.
Odah said that on Dec. 14 at about 4:00p.m, the command received information that one Felicia Chukwu of No. 3, Eze-Ukwaje Street, Mile 50, Abakaliki, was kidnapped in her official car, Toyota Corolla Car, on Nsugbe Street, Abakaliki, by some armed men.
“The police operatives attached to the anti-kidnapping squad of the command swung into action, trailed the kidnappers to their hideout at New Layout Nkaliki in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.
“The hoodlums on sighting the police opened fire at them and the policemen professionally engaged them in a gun duel.
“During the encounter, one of the hoodlums, who was later identified by the victim as the gang leader, sustained bullet wound injuries, while his other gang members escaped into the nearby bush, abandoning the victims vehicle.
“The victim was rescued unhurt and taken to the hospital for medical check-up.
“Items recovered from the scene include one English Berretta pistol with 9mm live ammunition and the said Toyota Corolla Car,” Odah said.
She said that the injured suspect was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki for medical treatment, but was later confirmed dead by a medical doctor on duty.
“The body of the suspect has been deposited at the hospital mortuary for preservation,” Odah said.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Aliyu Garba, has ordered an intensive manhunt of the fleeing gang members and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensure safety of lives and properties of the citizens of the state. (NAN)
