Police Foil Kidnap Attempt, Recover Rifles In Rivers

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to safeguarding lives and property, following a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in the State.

Adepoju said this in a statement by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko which was made available to the Press in Port Harcourt, on Tuesday.

The police boss, in the statement, noted that the recent operation underscores the resolve of the command to intensify intelligence-driven policing and dismantle criminal networks operating within the State.

“Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command recorded the success after foiling an attempted abduction in Port Harcourt, leading to the arrest of a suspected gang member and recovery of arms and ammunition”, it said.

The incident, according to the statement, occurred in the early hours of March 20 when a 35-year-old resident, Fadi Nasser, raised the alarm over an invasion of his residence along Orogbum Crescent, Woji Road, in the Government Reserved Area of the state capital.

According to Police sources, the armed assailants attempted to abduct the victim and opened fire during the attack, creating panic in the neighbourhood.

“The victim, however, managed to escape unhurt, an outcome described by security operatives as both fortunate and instrumental in enabling a swift response by the police”, it said.

Investigations gained momentum after a mobile phone suspected to belong to one of the attackers was recovered at the scene, providing a critical lead for operatives.

Acting on the intelligence, officers of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit based in Aluu deployed technical resources to track the device, which led to the arrest of one Joseph Abibo, identified as a member of the gang.

During interrogation, the suspect, the statement revealed, reportedly confessed and provided useful information that guided operatives to the gang’s hideout within the State.

Police sources also disclosed that upon arrival at the location, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from other members of the gang, prompting a fierce exchange.

The Police team, however, overpowered the criminals, forcing several of them to flee, with about six suspects escaping into a nearby river with gunshot wounds.

The police revealed that a search of the hideout led to the recovery of two AK-47 rifles, four magazines and 108 rounds of live ammunition, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and recover more weapons.

King Onunwor