Police in Anambra State have arrested two suspected kidnappers while their victims were rescued in Onitsha, commercial city of the state.
Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement said the suspects were apprehended by Operatives attached to Area Command Headquarters, Onitsha during a gun duel.
He said kidnap victim held hostage in a shuttle bus by the abductors were professionally rescued unhurt, while other suspects fled with bullet wounds.
He added that one Barreta pistol, nine rounds of 9MM live ammunition, and the shuttle bus used for the operation was recovered from the suspects.
He said, “Police Operatives attached to Area Command Headquarters, Onitsha while on township patrol on 30th August 2023 received a distress call at about 9.30pm of a kidnap incident around Borromeo Roundabout.
“The Operatives responded to the distress call and caught up with a shuttle bus in which the kidnapped victim was held.
“The highly trained operatives professionally engaged the kidnappers in a shootout without harming the hostage who was rescued unhurt.
“Two suspects were arrested at the scene while others managed to escape with gunshot wounds.
“The Police team recovered one Barreta pistol, nine rounds of 9MM live ammunition, and a shuttle bus without number plates which the criminals used for the kidnap operation.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aderemi Adeoye, while commending Police Operatives for the remarkable feat, charged them to intensify efforts aimed at apprehending the fleeing gang members.
“He also called on hospitals in the area to report anyone presenting gunshot injuries while treatment is ongoing to save lives.”