By Oge Onyeanusi , Onitsha
Anambra State Police Command Operatives have arrested three kidnappers, suspected to be members of the ESN/outlawed IPOB group, alongside with their arms & ammunitions , and also rescue one kidnapped victim, in a gun battle.
DSP Toochukeu Ikega ,the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, in a statement during a press briefly at Police Command Headquarter in Awka, on behalf of the Commissioner of police, CP Echeng Echeng read ” On 27/4/2023 by 7:50 pm, the forward operating base *FOB* Aguata while on stop and search duty at Afor Nnobi road intercepted two vehicles, one unmarked brown Lexus jeep and a black Prado Jeep with Reg Nos. GWA 696 CM, Abuja, the occupants of the vehicle who refuse to stop when police flag them down, started shooting sporadically to escape police screening.
He said the operatives engaged the armed men in a gun battle, rescued one of their victims and arrested three of the gang members suspected to be members of the ESN/OUTLAWED IPOB group
Those suspected kidnappers arrrested were Hyicent Ujwuika aged 45 years, Sunday Samuel Akpan aged 31 years and Chinonso Offor aka Wolf aged 24 years.
Parading the suspects, they confessed to being members of the outlawed *ESN/IPOB* groups and mentioned the various camps/criminal hideouts where, they operate. Efforts are already emplaced to arrest other fleeing gang members, DPS Ikenga said .
The ammunitions recovered from the suspects by operatives which includes ;
Three AK47s, two Cell phones, two Bulletproof vests, two Walking talkies, one Police uniform (camouflage), three AK47 Magazines, one hundred and twenty Live ammunition, one Police belt, one Hand glove, a pair of Police boots, two Police caps, one military T-shirt and one blue police uniform.* While other gang members escaped the scene.
The Anambra Commissioner of Police , CP Echeng Echeng , while commending the Operatives for their bravery and diligence, said under my watch shall continue to evolve strategies, which involve improving operational positioning and engaging with the community leaders, youth groups, and other stakeholders for an inclusive community safety base.
CP Echeng wish to reiterate our commitment to maintaining law and order within the State, and we will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all citizens.
We urge the public to support us by providing us with timely information and reporting any suspicious activities in their communities to us.
