Delta State Police Command, on Tuesday, rescued two kidnapped victims, Ovigwe Dagagba, ‘m’, 31, and Obinna Nwanko, ‘m’, 29, both of Usiefurun community, Ughelli South Local Council, unhurt.
The Command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), Bright Edafe, who confirmed the incident, said the victims, who had been reunited with their families, were abducted by a gang of four suspected kidnappers operating on a tricycle.
According to him, the kidnappers conveyed them in a Toyota Corolla car, belonging to one of the victims, from Usiefurun roundabout and headed towards Udu council.
“On Monday at about 0200hrs, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Owvian Aladja, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Aliyu Shaba, received a distress call that two persons were kidnapped,” he said.
“On receipt of this information, he swiftly mobilised and led a team of police operatives, trailed and intercepted the kidnappers along Agbarho/Ughelli road.
“The police operatives engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel that forced the kidnappers to abandon the car. The kidnappers escaped into the bush with of bullet injuries.
“Upon search of the vehicle, 26 pieces of assorted android phones, one cut-to-size locally made single barrel gun, 38 rounds of live cartridges, two expended cartridges, two Moniepoint Point of Sale (PoS) machines, four power banks and two empty female hand bags were recovered.
“The tricycle with registration number KPE 73 QT used by the suspects was also recovered, while manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.”
Edafe said the deputy commissioner of police in charge of operations, Johnson Adenola, had directed officers and men of the Command to sustain this tempo in the fight against crime and criminality.
He also urged members of the public to report any suspicious person or movement around them.