18th January, 2024
By Mohammed Tijjani
Police operatives have rescued one Segun Akinyemi who was abducted in Abuja after a gun duel with his abductors who were using his vehicle to transport him to Kano in Kaduna State.
Akinyemi was abducted on Wednesday by the gang of kidnappers when he was leaving his home in Abuja, according to a statement by the spokesperson for the Kaduna Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan.
He, however, said police received information that his abductors were taking him to Kano through Kaduna, hence, operatives were detailed to block them.
He said the police operatives at about at about 0010 hours blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van with a registration number, Abuja RBC 90 DC , with four passengers, the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.
According to him, on sensing danger and to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the Policemen and they responded accordingly.
He added that in the gun duel that ensued, Segun Akinyemi was rescued, while one of his abductors, Chinaza Philip was arrested.
ASP Mansir Hassan, “In a renewed vigour to ensure the safety of lives and properties of the public in Kaduna State owing to the strict orders of the Commissioner of Police,
Mr Audu Ali to Police operatives to deny criminal elements any active spaces.”
He said this led the personnel of the command to rescue a victim kidnapped from Abuja, arrested one of the kidnappers, recovered the victim’s vehicle and the kidnappers’ firearms.
Hassan explained that on Thursday, operatives attached to the Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja, indicating the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.
He said, ”The operatives at about 0010 hours blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van with a registration number, Abuja RBC 90 DC , with four passengers, the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.”
According to him, on sensing danger and to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the Policemen and they responded accordingly.
Hassan said, “In the resulting gun duel, the victim, a certain Segun Akinyemi of block 10, flat 2 FCDA Quarters Area 3 Garki Abuja was rescued.
”One of the kidnappers, a 28-year-old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja was arrested while three others escaped although they are being trailed.
“Equally, the said vehicle belonging to the victim, two numbers of Retay G17 model pistol, one Beretta pistol, 10 9mm P.A.K ammunition and five 9mm special ammunition were recovered from the kidnappers.”
Hasan said that preliminary inquiries revealed that the victim was abducted at about 1700 hours on Wednesday by the kidnappers just when he was leaving his home.
“The three escapees were; Chidibere Nwodibo of Life Camp Abuja, one Auwal surname unknown and the gang leader whose identity is yet to be ascertained.
“The kidnappers were transporting their victim to Kano before they were intercepted by the Police,” Hassan said.
The spokesman said that the commissioner of police has commended the operatives for the brave feat and tasked them to continuously go after criminal elements in the state.
He called on the public to avail themselves with security agencies’ hotlines for any distress call requiring a prompt response.
(NAN)