By FESTUS AHON
UGHELLI—A middle- aged woman, Mrs. Veronica Obakponovwe, was Sunday,  rescued from kidnappers by the police in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State.

Mrs. Obakponovwe, wife of the Medical Director, Ufor Hospital, Ughelli, regained freedom after several hours in captivity.

A close source said she was rescued after a gun battle between the kidnappers and a team of policemen and some local vigilante groups.

According to the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the woman was abducted at gun-point on Effurun/Eku Road, while travelling home, adding that the suspected kidnappers, who drove in a bus forced her out of her Jeep into their vehicle and sped off.

The source said the police, acting on a tip-off, went after the suspected kidnappers, adding that they abandoned the Jeep and drove in the bus into a nearby bush in Odiete Village, where the security operatives engaged the hoodlums in a shoot out.

The Police Public Relations Officer, Delta State Police Command, Mr. Charles Muka, could not be reached for comment at press time. However, a senior police officer in the area confirmed the incident, adding that the matter was being investigated.