By Davies Iheamnachor & Mercy Oguji

PORT HARCOURT— Operatives of Rivers State Police Command, have said that they smashed a criminal hideout on Ubima and Omerelu communities in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state.

The police said during the raid, the criminals at Ubima had engaged its men in shoot out and four of the kidnappers were killed in the process.

In a statement, yesterday, the Public Relations Officer of the Command, Nnamdi Omoni disclosed that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command had raided some criminal havens in Ubima and Omerelu on Tuesday.

Omoni said that the security operatives had invaded and destroyed different kidnappers’ dens in the area and had rescued four hostages.

Describing the operation as a huge success for the police, Omoni noted that several kidnap victims were rescued.

Omoni who gave the name of some of the suspects arrested as Richard Chukwu, Goodluck Richard, Ikechukwu Richard alias Military man, Omereji James alias Tompolo, Stephen Omereji, said that the gang was responsible for terrorising travelers on the highway.

He also disclosed that several weapons and ammunitions were recovered from the criminals during the operation.

He added that “The victims rescued include  Okwananaso Anya Johnson, Christian Azuzu, Ejezie Chinedu, Prophetess Ngozi, adding that Daniel have been debriefed and have since reunited with their families.”

He, however, urged criminals to turn a good leaf or leave  the state, even as he enjoined the people of the state to rekindle their trust in the police.