By Philip Ezuma, Port Harcourt
The Rivers State Police Command, C4i Intelligence Operatives, at the weekend raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Oyigbo/Igbo-Etche forest.
According to the statement from the office of the Police Public Relations Officer PPRO Superintendent of Police SP Grace Iringe-Koko, acting on intelligence report gathered, Operatives on the kidnapping gang, the police took them unawares.
Upon sighting the Police team, the hoodlums opened fire on them. During the gun duel that lasted for about an hour, the gang leader, who was later identified as Aka Blacky ‘m’, was fatally wounded. Another suspect identified as Peter Nwafor ‘m’ was shot, while trying to escape.
The two suspects were taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, where they were confirmed dead by doctor on duty, their corpses deposited at the UPTH Mortuary.
The gang was linked to the kidnap of a woman and her daughter on 18th March, 2023, along Garrison, Port Harcourt. It would be recalled that two members of the gang had earlier been arrested.
Exhibits recovered at the scene include 1 AK47 Rifle and 18 Live Ammunition.
Meanwhile, residents of the state are advised to remain supportive, law-abiding, and vigilant, and promptly report acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station, or by calling the command’s emergency hotlines.