The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command’s operations neutralised two suspects and freed four abducted victims from a renowned kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate in the state.
Henry Okoye, the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), sent news reporters with a statement informing them of this.
The PPRO claims that the operation, which started on January 4, 2025, started with a distress call about the kidnapping of three ladies and one man at Umuokanne in the Ohaji Egbema local government area of Imo State was received at approximately 12 p.m.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit found the offenders’ hideout by acting quickly on the information they had received.
The police officers and the kidnappers engaged in gunfire after they arrived.“During the operation, two suspects were neutralised.
According to Okoye, the four victims—Godwin Ezekwe (37), Apollonia Ezekwe (40), Ego Odu (48), and Carolin Didia (42), were successfully released.
“One AK-47 rifle, 21 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition, and a magazine were recovered from the criminals,” he continued.
Nevertheless, during the altercation, two of the freed captives were shot by the captors. After being taken right away to the Oforola Health Centre, they are currently stable and making a full recovery, according to the PPRO.
The public was reassured by the Imo State Police Command of its continued dedication to protecting locals.
Okoye also emphasised that efforts are being made to capture the criminal syndicate’s surviving members.
To help with future initiatives to improve community safety in the state, the police asked the public to report any suspicious activity.