The Police Command in Kogi has rescued five kidnapped victims from Adogo forest in the state.
This was stated by SP Williams Oche-Aya, the Police Public Relations Officer.
He reported that the police also recovered an AK-47 rifle from the kidnappers during a raid on their hideout in Akpa Local Government Area.
Describing the achievement as encouraging, Oche-Aya quoted the state Commissioner of Police, Bethrand Onuoha, who reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to ensuring the security of lives and property in Kogi.
He explained that the victims were rescued by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force from the Adogo Division, led by SP Yusuf Hantsi, in collaboration with local vigilantes on Thursday.
“Investigations revealed that Five victims were earlier kidnapped at Aresuare Area of Ajaokuta Local Government by their abductors.
“They (victims) were kidnapped on May 17 while on transit along Ajaokuta-Adogo road.
“The Operatives while on rescue mission, combed the bush and invaded the kidnappers camp, and engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel.
“But due to the superior firepower of the team, the hoodlums abandoned their victims and fled. All the victims were rescued unhurt, ” he said.
The spokesman stated that an AK-47 rifle was recovered following a tip-off about armed hoodlums in an unregistered golden-colored Muzzle Camry who went to the Ojode area in Ankpa, started shooting sporadically, and killed one Iliyasu Abubakar, while another person sustained a bullet wound to the right chest.
According to him, the Divisional Police Officer of Ankpa, CSP Chikamnele Amaralam, quickly mobilized his team to the scene and engaged the hoodlums in a gunfight.
During the encounter, the hoodlums fled, abandoning an AK-47 rifle with breech number 354951 and two live rounds of ammunition.
Ovye-Aya advised the public to always report any suspicious movements of criminals to security operatives for necessary action.