Police Smash Kidnap Gang In Ebonyi, Rescue Victim

Police in Ebonyi State have smashed the gang which recently kidnapped Mrs Bridget Obasi, wife of a retired permanent secretary in the state, Mr Sylvester Igbo, the Police Public Relations Officer, told newsmen last Wednesday.

Igbo said in Abakaliki that the victim was rescued at the gang’s hideout at Ndufu Abomege in Onicha LGA by police detectives.

“During the exchange of fire-power, the kidnappers who demanded N50 million as ransom, were overpowered by our officers, some of them ladies.

.According to the spokesperson, the victim was tortured and blindfolded for eight days.

“Exhibits recovered from the hideout which harbours a shrine, include: three locally-made pistols, one AK 47 magazine, one short double-barrel gun, four machetes, one axe, 10 cartridges and 86 live ammunition of different calibres”, he said.

He urged people to collaborate with the command in the war against perpetrators of crimes such as armed robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism.

“The command restates its commitment to the  security of lives and property and requests for vital information to effectively discharge its duties,” he said.

Mrs Obasi later told newsmen that she was abducted on February12, at about 7.30 p.m. as she wanted to open the gate of her house for her husband.

“They pointed a gun at my head and led me into my husband’s car, drove off and stopped inside a bush after hours of reckless speeding.

“They later took me inside a room, brutalised me for eight days as they negotiated with my family until the police came and dislodged them.

“I managed to escape into the bush where the police later rescued me,” she said.