Suspected kidnappers were forced to abandon their vehicle and weapons after a chase by the police in Asaba, Delta State.

 

The four armed men had repeatedly kidnapped a male and female victim along DLA Road in Asaba and also stole a Toyota Camry belonging to one of their victims.

 

But responding to a distress call, the Delta State Police Command dispatched the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad headed by CSP Labe Joseph.

 

According to SP Bright Edafe, the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, the squad tracked the suspects to Ezenei along the Asaba/Benin Expressway.

 

Upon sighting the police, the kidnappers attempted to escape through Oko Market Road.

 

The statement reads in part, “On 27/11/2024 at about 2145hrs, acting on a distress call from the command’s control room over a kidnap incident along DLA road in Asaba where four armed hoodlums operating in a Toyota Camry 2.4 Model Reg. No. Enugu BLF 490 AA, kidnapped one male and a female victim (names withheld) and a Toyota Camry vehicle belonging to a woman was also taken by the hoodlums.

 

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda upon receipt of this information directed the command’s Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad to ensure that the hoodlums are arrested and victims rescued.

 

“The commander CSP Labe Joseph led operatives from the unit and embarked on an intelligence-led operation, trailed the suspected kidnappers to Ezenei by Asaba/Benin Expressway.

 

“The hoodlums who upon sighting the police team closing in on them, zoomed off and diverted to Oko Market Road in a bid to escape but the team courageously chased after the hoodlums forcing the hoodlums to jump out of their vehicles, hurriedly took to their heels and fled into the nearby bush with bullet injuries abandoning the cars.”

 

During the operation, police recovered an arsenal of weapons and ammunition, including an AK-47 rifle with a defaced breach number, two pump-action guns, one magazine, eight rounds of AR live ammunition, and twenty-one live cartridges hidden under the vehicle’s engine compartment.

 

The Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, praised the squad for their swift response and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to public safety and bringing criminals to justice.

 

He called on residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious persons with injuries to the nearest police station.