By Steve Oko

The Abia Police Command has announced the killing of six kidnappers at Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area during an exchange of fire with operatives of its tactical team.

Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isa who disclosed this Saturday evening during a world press conference at the Government House Umuahia , said the incident took place on Friday.

This is as Governor Alex Otti, who was at the press conference, vowed that no inch of Abia soil would be ceded to criminals.

According to the Commissioner of Police, the victims were kidnapped around 8pm on Sunday, March 9, at Umuahia New Road Aba.

He said, “Unknown gunmen double-crossed the victims and took them to an unknown destination. Then our tactical team swung into action, and with the help of technology provided for us by Gov. Alex Otti, we were able to track the kidnappers to a suburb in Osisioma Ngwa area.”

The CP said that when the tactical team attempted to bust the kidnappers’ den, they were engaged in a gun duel by the criminals.

He said that six kidnappers were neutralized in the ensuing exchange of fire while some escaped with bullet wounds.

“We encountered them yesterday (Friday). When we got to where the victims were kept and wanted to make our way into the premises, our tactical team came under heavy gunfire. During the exchange of fire, six of the criminals were neutralized. Some escaped with bullet wounds”.

He said that some items including six AK 47 riffles, six magazines, 32 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the kidnappers.

The CP who said the Command had recorded a lot of success in the recent times in the fight against criminality, solicited the cooperation of members of the public especially in volunteering of useful information that could lead to the arrest of criminals.

He restated the readiness of the Police in synergy with other security agencies to keep Abia safe.

Responding, Gov. Otti thanked the police for their gallantry in rescuing the victims.

The Governor, who said that security remained a top priority of his administration, vowed that no inch of Abia soil would be yielded to criminals.

He ordered immediate demolition of the house where the kidnappers operated from and where the victims were kept.

Gov. Otti also ordered the arrest of the landlord for prosecution, adding that the traditional ruler of the community would also be engaged.

“I have instructed that the house in Osokwa Osisioma Ngwa where the kidnappers operated from and kept the victims be brought down completely. We will also locate the landlord if he has not been located for prosecution. If any landlord yields his house to criminals, he must also be a criminal.

“I have also directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to interface the traditional ruler of the community. For four men to be brought into a community and kept for several days, somebody must take responsibility.

He promised more support for police and tough time for criminals in the state.

“Once in a while sporadic attacks occur but when we know about it, we pursue the criminals,” he said.

The Governor, who said that “financial rewards await the members of the tactical team,” commended them” for doing a great job”.

He said that the successes recorded in the operation were a testimony that the investments the “state is making in security are yielding results.”

The governor thanked God that the victims were rescued unhurt.

He promised that his administration would continue to deploy technology in the fight against insecurity.

“Government will continue to do everything possible to keep Abia safe,” he added.

Narrating their ordeals later in an interview with newsmen, one of the victims said they were abducted last Sunday night while trying to drop off a friend.

“Last Sunday, we went to drop our friend at Osusu area of Umuahia road. They (the kidnappers) double-crossed us and pointed guns at us. They had already kidnapped one man in front of his house and collected his car and were driving around for about two hours.

“Then they collected our car and drove us to an unknown destination. From Sunday to Friday, they kept us in one small room without a window. They collected our phones and phone numbers of our family members for ransom. They also collected our money and some made transfers to them.”

On how they were rescued, he said: “On Friday afternoon, after we had prayed, we heard gunshots when the police team arrived. They were engaged in a gunfire with the kidnappers. Later, the police came to the small room where we were kept and rescued us.”

Asked if there were other people in the compound where they were kept, he said: “We heard voices of even children in the premises. On Wednesday night, the kidnappers brought a carpenter to do some work in the place.”

Asked if they were fed by the captors, he answered in the negative.