Officers of the Nigerian Police on Sunday rescued 13 passengers whose vehicle was intercepted by kidnappers in Aniagbala, a Community on Ubulu-Uku express road in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State, after a gun battle with their abductors.
One of the suspected kidnappers was shot dead while one AK-17 riffle was recovered, DSP Bright Edafe, spokesperson of Delta Police Command said in a statement.
According to Edafe a combined team of Police operatives attached to the Ogwashi-Uku Division and local vigilante went after the kidnappers immediately they got information that they had intercepted a 14-seater bus on the Aniagbala Community via Ubulu-Uku express road in Aniocha South Local Government Area.
“Today, April 3, 2022, at about 0840 hours, information got to the Command that a gang of dare devil kidnappers had intercepted a 14-seater bus with Registration Number: M831-FJK.
“The bus was intercepted on Aniagbala community via Ubulu-Uku express road in Aniocha South conveying 16 occupants.
“Thirteen of the passengers were abducted and taken to the bush,” he said.
Edafe said that upon receiving the information, the Commissioner of Police (CP), Delta Command, Mr Ari Ali, directed the DPO, Ogwashi-Uku Division to lead men into the bush and ensure that the suspects were arrested and the victims rescued unhurt.
“Following the directives, the DPO, CSP Mohammed Naallah, swiftly led a combined team of Police operatives and Vigilantes into the bush and gave the hoodlums a hot chase.
“In the course of the exchange of gun fire, one of the suspects who was hit, died on the spot while the other members of the gang escaped with bullet injuries,” he explained.
The command’s spokesman said that all the 13 kidnapped victims were rescued alive and unhurt, adding that the bush was still being combed with a view to arresting the other fleeing members of the gang.
