Police rescue three kidnap victims, recover their SUV, abductors’ weapons

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The police in Enugu State say they have rescued three kidnap victims within the Independence Layout Area of the state.

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Daniel Ndukwe, the police spokesman in the state, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday.

Mr Ndukwe, a superintendent of police, said police operatives also recovered the victims’ Lexus 350 SUV and the abductors’ two locally made firearms, ammunition and other exhibits.

The spokesman said the operation was conducted by the police operatives attached to the anti-cultism sub-unit of the Violent Crime Response Unit with support from Neighbourhood Watch and community members.

He said the operation followed a tip-off at about 1:30 a.m. on 18 August, suggesting that there was ongoing carjacking and abduction of the victims by hoodlums within the Independence Layout Area of the state.

Mr Ndukwe said the operatives were on crime-prevention patrol along the Port Harcourt Expressway in Enugu when they headed to the scene.

“On reaching the area, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and their firearms before fleeing the scene. The three victims were subsequently rescued unharmed, with support from members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and law-abiding citizens, and taken to safety,” he said.

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Apart from the victims’ vehicle, the police recovered from the suspects a locally fabricated Beretta-like pistol loaded with five rounds of 9mm live ammunition, a locally made cut-to-size firearm, a live cartridge, a pair of hand gloves, one skinmask and a mobile phone – all abandoned by the fleeing suspects.

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“Investigation has been intensified, with a manhunt launched to identify and arrest the fleeing suspects, recover further exhibits and establish their involvement in the crime,” he said.

The spokesman said the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Bitrus Giwa, commended the operatives, members of the Neighbourhood Watch Group and vigilant citizens for their swift and coordinated response.

Mr Giwa reiterated the commitment of the police command to sustain intelligence-led and community-supported operations against kidnapping, armed robbery, car snatching and other violent crimes.

The commissioner urged the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to the police to aid in crime fighting.