By Augustine Ehikioya
Cracking down on crimes, Police officials in Delta State have rescued a kidnapped victim.
They also recovered a double barrel gun through the process.
This was contained in a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA).
It disclosed that a suspected kidnapper was killed during the operation.
It said “The proactive measures adopted by the Commissioner of Police, Delta State, CP Wale Abass has again paid off. The CP who has always reiterated his desire to achieve a crime free State, admonished DPOs and Tactical Commanders to key into proactive policing instead of reactive policing.
“Regular stop and search duty, visibility patrol, continuous raids of black spots, cultivation of informants among others are parts of the working strategies of the Command.
“On 29th July, 2023, at about 2300hours, Police patrol team attached to Ebrumede Police station while on stop and search duty flagged down a Lexus Saloon Car (reg. number withheld) but the occupants on noticing the Police, jumped down from the vehicle with a double barrel gun and took to their heels.
“Some of the Police operatives gave them a hot chase during which one of them bearing the firearm was neutralized while others escaped.
On a closer look at the abandoned vehicle, the statement said a kidnapped victim was seen blindfolded, who was immediately rescued by the operatives and taken to the Police station where he said that he was kidnapped along Jakpa Road, Warri on same date at about 2100hours.
According to him, the suspected kidnappers using a tricycle hit his vehicle from behind, and in an attempt to confront them, they brought out the double barrel gun and forced him into his own vehicle.
The statement continued ‘Before he was rescued, he had already paid sum of seven hundred thousand naira (N700,000) ransom to their account through bank transfer.
“Victim has been reunited with his family while manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing.”
CP Wale Abass while applauding the gallantry of the Policemen, it said, urged other officers of the command to follow suit and exhibit courage in line of their respective duties.
“He also urged members of the public to continue to trust, and partner with the Police especially in the area of information noting that the Police cannot do it alone without the support of the community,” the statement stated.
