Police rescue 1 kidnap victim, neutralise 2 suspects in Kogi

The police, in conjunction with a vigilance group, rescued one kidnap victim on Monday as they neutralised two suspected kidnappers in Kogi.

The Kogi Police Command’s Spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, made the disclosure in a statement he issued in Lokoja.

Ovye-Aya said that the successful operation was in compliance with the directive of the State Commissioner of Police, Onuoha Bethrand, on curtailing criminal elements in the state.

“This is part of the measures taken by the police to deny criminals a safe heaven in the Kogi.

“The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Ife-Olukotun in an intelligence-led operation rescued one kidnapped victim, neutralised two (suspected) kidnappers, and recovered one AK-49 rifle with 14 rounds of live ammunition.

“This was a consequence of a report that some hoodlums invaded the camp of one Yahaya of Igbo-Ero in Ife-Olukotun and kidnapped him and another victim, whom they later released after robbing him of one ram.

“The hoodlums, on sighting the joint team, opened fire on them (security operatives), and a gun duel ensued, during which two suspected kidnappers were neutralised and the victim was rescued,” the spokesperson said.

According to him, efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.

Ovye-Aya said that the CP, who praised the joint police and vigilance team for the breakthrough, reiterated his determination to sustain the ongoing onslaught against criminal elements in the state.