The Rivers State Police Command said it has apprehended six alleged cultists and kidnappers and killed six more in Obelle town in the state’s Emohua Local Government Area.
In a news conference on Friday, the State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Emeka Nwonyi, claimed operatives from anti-cultism and tactical units assaulted the hideaway of a gang commanded by one Uchechukwu Daniel, and when the hoodlums saw the police, they opened fire.
Nwonyi revealed that the police responded and that, following an exchange of gunfire, six of the hoodlums were killed, six were captured, and others fled with bullet wounds in various locations.
He explained that on Friday, June 30, 2023, police operatives on patrol along King Perekule junction GRA, Port Harcourt, intercepted and rescued a victim, who narrated how his friend was kidnapped and taken away.
The Rivers police boss said empty shells and iPhone were recovered from the vehicle.
Nwonyi said on July 6, police operatives trailed kidnappers to their hideout in Ozuoha community in Ikwerre LGA, where kidnap victims were rescued unhurt, while a suspect, Mr. Buchi David, was arrested.
He listed exhibits recovered to include one locally fabricated weapon, cut-to-size guns and six cartridges.