Police kill one suspect, rescue kidnapped victim in Anambra

Anambra State police in southeast Nigeria claimed to have murdered an alleged kidnapper in Umuota village, Obosi, a neighbourhood in the state's Idemili North Local Government Area.

Ikenna Nwasu, the suspect, was a native of the area.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the state's police spokesperson, said in a statement early on Sunday that the suspect was slain on Saturday during a police raid on a hideout in the neighbourhood.

A victim of a kidnapping was also saved during the operation, according to Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police.

The operation, according to a police spokesperson, was in response to a tip that the victim had been abducted by a group of kidnappers at around 7:30 p.m. and was being taken in that neighbourhood in that direction.

“Police then trailed the kidnappers to an uncompleted building surrounded by bush in Umuota village, Obosi where a gunfire exchange with the kidnappers ensued,” he said.

According to the police, one of the hoodlums was shot, and taken into custody, and the others managed to flee the shootout with minor injuries.

He continued by saying that the captured suspect named the three men who got away as Ebuka, also known as Big, Chinedu Emmanuel, and Chukwu Ojoto.

“The hoodlum, who identified Ebuka as the leader of the gang, gave up the ghost on the way to hospital for treatment.”

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has commended the operatives for their “gallantry,” Mr Ikenga said.

Mr. Adeoye then gave the order for the officers to search for and find the evading suspects.

The state's and community's citizens were given assurances by the police commissioner that the police would continue to pursue offenders throughout the state.

Source