…………………..As Abia Police Rescues 4 Kidnapped Victims Unhurt.
FIC Report (Abia State) – Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has ordered the demolition of a bungalow in Osokwa, Osisioma Local Government Area, where four kidnapped victims were rescued following a fierce gun battle between tactical officers of the Abia State Police Command and the kidnappers.
Speaking at the Banquet Hall of the Abia State Government House during a joint press conference with the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, Governor Otti declared that his administration will not spare any building or individual linked to kidnapping activities in the state.
He further directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Uzor Nwachukwu, to engage the Traditional Ruler of Osokwa Community to explain how four able bodied kidnapped victims could be hidden in the area without his knowledge.
While commending the commissioner of police for their bravery in rescuing the victims and neutralizing six kidnappers after an intense gunfight, the Governor pledged a financial reward to the police tactical team, urging them to sustain the zeal.
“We want to thank God that none of them was wounded, because in the exchange of fire, anything could have happened. We thank God that they were all rescued alive and healthy,” Gov. Otti stated.
Governor Otti vowed to continue to keep Abia State safe and free from the activities of criminal elements including upgrading of the technology used by the Police for effective combating of crime.
“We will continue to do everything possible to keep the State safe.
“I want to thank all of you and reassure Abians and investors that Abia State will continue to be safe for residents and everyone who wants to live or do business in the State.
“For us in Abia, security is critical. I had said it time and time again, that we would not yield any inch of Abia to criminals. I thank God that the (Police) are also very willing and able to use technology which has helped in enforcing law and order here.
“We will continue to upgrade the technology, I know in no distant future, we will have a command and control centre here in the State capital,” Gov. Otti stated.
He said he had already instructed that the bungalow in Osokwa, Osisioma LGA where the kidnappers operated from and kept the kidnapped victims should be brought down completely and the owner of the house be arrested and prosecuted. I will also instruct the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to invite the traditional ruler of the area where the kidnappers operated from and had a safe heaven for a chat and questioning because it is strange that no one reported such movement in such small community to the law enforcement agencies.
Presenting the rescued victims and the tactical team members of the Nigeria Police, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP. Danladi Isa said that on the 9th of this month, four men were kidnapped along New Umuahia Road in Obingwa LGA.
He narrated how the Police was able to rescue them and neutralized majority of the kidnappers.
“They were double crossed by unknown gunmen, kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination.
“The tactical teams swung into action with the use of the technology we have, which is also what you (Gov. Otti) have assisted us with and in so doing, we have been on their trail and by the grace of God, we were able to track them to Osisioma area.
“In the exchange of gun fire that ensued, six of the kidnappers were neutralised and some escaped with bullet injuries. The Police are still searching for them and I can assure the public that they must be apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
“Two AK-47 were recovered, six magazines were also recovered, and 32 rounds of ammunition were also recovered,” CP. Isa stated.
He described the achievements made so far by the Police as the dividend of Governor Otti ‘s continuous support to security agencies.
The Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa, stated that while the command has recorded several successes in the fight against crime, adding that this latest operation was especially significant and worthy of recognition by the state’s Chief Security Officer.
Earlier, the Abia State Police Command through her PRO reported that they tenaciously fought the gun battle leading to the rescue of these kidnapped victims,
Onwuka Chimela,
Onwuka Emeh Chinaza
Isreal Ikemsinachi Ukandu,
Ibiam Kingsley.
The Police also recovered exhibits including
Two (2) AK-47 rifles
Six (6) magazines and
Thirty-four (34) rounds of live ammunition.
On the 9th March,2025 at about 09:30 hours, the Abia State Police Command received a report that the above-mentioned victims, who were driving in their Toyota RAV4 along New Umuahia Road, Obingwa, were kidnapped by unknown armed men.
Leveraging on credible intelligence, on 14th March , 2025 Tactical team of the Command using technological means located the kidnappers’ hideout in Osokwa, Osisioma Ngwa LGA, where the victims were held hostage for five days in a three-bedroom bungalow.
Upon arrival, the operatives came under heavy gunfire from the kidnappers. However, the criminals could not withstand the superior firepower of the Command’s tactical teams as six members of the kidnapping syndicate were neutralized and the four kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt. The victims were immediately taken to the Police Hospital, for medical attention
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang who escaped with bullet injuries.
The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa has advised the good people of Abia State to report anyone with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or contact the Command through the following emergency numbers:
08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08079210006.
He has also assured Abians that the command is working assiduously to nip crime and criminality at the bud and for any crime committed, the suspects will be tracked and arrested to face the wrath of the law.
In an interview with the Press, that on Sunday, the 9th of March, 2025, at about 8pm when they were going to drop one of their friends around Osusu Amaukwa village in Obingwa LGA, the kidnappers numbering about four, who had already abducted someone and his vehicle double-crossed their vehicle and kidnapped three of them at gun point and drove to them an unknown destination.
He said that they were at the kidnappers’ den from that Sunday, the 9th till Friday the 14th and disclosed that they lost their phones and money (through e- transfer).
“We were kept in a room without any ventilation; a very small room. There was no window. We were there for like five days. So, they collected the phone numbers of our family members who they were contacting to get ransom.
“On Friday afternoon, after we had prayed, we heard gunshots. That was when the Nigeria Police came for our rescue. They exchanged gun fire with the kidnappers and by the special grace of God, they rescued and saved us unharmed. They (the police) broke the door where the kidnappers kept us and brought us out of the place” he narrated.
The victim further told the Press they were hearing the voices of people including Children around the house where they were kept by the kidnappers. He said that they heard a carpenter working in the next room on Wednesday night.
He thanked the Governor and the Police for their professional conduct and the deployment of technology to track and rescue them unharmed.
The Governor was joined in the National Press Conference by the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Pastor Caleb Ajagba, Ph.D, the Commissioner for information, Prince Okey Kanu, Commissioner for Trade and Commerce, Mr. Chibueze Nwokocha, Commissioner for Power and Public Utilities, Engr. Ikechukwu Monday, the Special Adviser on Trade and Commerce, Chief Nwaka Inem and a host of other political appointees of the Executive Governor.
Signed
Abiakam Gloria Ify
HOC, FIC Umuahia Abia state
16-03-2025.
