Police kill 7 suspected kidnappers in Anambra, rescue Lebanese, other victims

Two suspects were arrested while collecting N5 million ransom.

Seven suspected kidnappers have been killed in Anambra, while two others were captured by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, Emeka Chukwuemeka, made the disclosure in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Awka on Saturday.

Mr. Chukweumeka said that the incident took place at Aguleri in the Anambra East Local Council Area of the state at around 4.00 p.m. on Friday.

The spokesman said that two of the suspects were captured at the point of collecting a ransom of N5 million.

He said that the suspects later took security men to their hideout, where some kidnapped people were rescued unhurt at about 8.30 p.m.

Chukwuemeka said the ransom was recovered when the suspects, who were killed, engaged security men in a shoot-out.

He said that one of the rescued victims, simply identified as Anthony, was kidnapped at Onitsha, a week ago and taken to a building, belonging to a Lagos-based businessman.

A Lebanese contractor with Consolidated Construction Company, Roumauos Marroun, kidnapped at the gate of the Igbariam Campus of the Anambra State University on May 7, was among those who regained their freedom.

Kidnapping for ransom has been on the rise in many Nigerian states.

(NAN)