Police rescue 3 kidnapped victims, kill suspect in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have rescued three kidnapped victims in the state. Daily Trust reports that during the rescue operation, police neutralized one suspected kidnapper, arrested another—identified as 22-year-old Ahmadu Hassan—and recovered an AK-47 rifle. The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the victims were rescued in the Issele-Uku axis of the state […]

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have rescued three kidnapped victims in the state.

Daily Trust reports that during the rescue operation, police neutralized one suspected kidnapper, arrested another—identified as 22-year-old Ahmadu Hassan—and recovered an AK-47 rifle.

The command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the victims were rescued in the Issele-Uku axis of the state following a fierce gun battle. 

He noted that the successful operation was the result of a collaboration between the police, the military, local vigilantes, and hunters.

According to Edafe, following a report regarding the abduction of several persons, the security team launched a coordinated search-and-rescue mission. While combing identified hideouts within the surrounding forest, an exchange of gunfire broke out between security operatives and members of the kidnapping syndicate.

Edafe explained that during the encounter, one of the suspects was wounded and taken into custody. 

The three victims were subsequently rescued unharmed.

He said during a sustained “bush combing” exercise following the initial encounter, security teams discovered another suspect with gunshot injuries; he was later confirmed dead.

A further search of the area led to the recovery of one AK-47 rifle loaded with four rounds of live ammunition.

The spokesperson added that the injured suspect is currently receiving treatment while under police custody, adding that efforts are ongoing to track down and arrest other fleeing members of the syndicate.