Operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Ebonyi State Police Command have thwarted an attempt to kidnap the mother of a prominent individual in Isata Community, Isu, Onicha Local Government Area.
In a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu on Saturday, Ukandu explained that the operatives acted on credible intelligence to foil the abduction.
He confirmed that three suspects had been arrested, while one member of the gang remained at large. A locally made single-barrel gun was recovered from the suspects.
Ukandu added that the arrested individuals would be charged to court once investigations were concluded.
In a separate operation, police operatives neutralised two suspected hoodlums during a raid on their hideout in the Iyonu Community of Ishielu Local Government Area.
According to Ukandu, the operation was carried out within the Iyonu/Idodo Forest following reliable intelligence about the activities of a criminal gang terrorising the area.
He noted that upon sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, triggering a fierce gun battle. At the end of the encounter, two of the suspects were neutralised.
Exhibits recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, two locally fabricated Dane guns, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and five live cartridges.
The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, assured residents that the command would not relent in its efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
She also urged members of the public to continue providing credible and timely information to support the command’s proactive crime prevention initiatives.