Soldiers foil kidnap attempt, rescue bizman, son in Onitsha

BY ENYIM ENYIM

ONITSHA—Soldiers attached to the 302 Artillery Regiment have foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued a business man and his son (names withheld) in  Onitsha.

The armed kidnap suspects were said to have trailed their victims to a filling station along Obodoukwu road, Onitsha where they finally got him and his son before the soldiers rescued him.

An eyewitness, who pleaded anonymity, said the suspected kidnappers on sighting the soldiers from 302 Artillery abandoned their victims and fled, leaving behind their victims and their operational vehicle.

Though no arrest was made, the Assistant Director Public Relations, 82 Division, Enugu, Lt. Col. HA Gambo said the gunmen on sighting his men fled leaving behind a 4×4 Sports Utility Vehicle, SUV alongside the business man and his son.

He said the build-up to the incident started around February/March when the kidnappers threatened the businessman with series of text messages after seizing his phone months earlier which they used in extorting money from the victim.

Lt. Col Gambo said: “they were accosted and blocked by the gang with a 4×4 Runner Jeep near ACAP filling station along Obodoukwu road in Onitsha. The hoodlums on sighting the soldiers who were on patrol took to their heel”

”In view of this ugly development, the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army hereby advise the general public to be wary, alert and report any unusual and suspicious trailing by motorists and report same to security agencies.”