Three kidnapped victims have been rescued by the men of the Delta State Police Command, authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
According to the statement which was released on Sunday 1st January 2023, by the Delta State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, the three kidnapped victims were rescued on 31/12/2022, at about 0120hours, while police operatives attached to Orerokpe Division were on visibility patrol duty along Warri/Sapele road by Okuvo and Egborede Communities, they sighted some persons being dragged into the bush.
DSP Bright Edafe in the statement stated that the operatives suspected that they may have been kidnapped, so they trailed them into the bush. The hoodlums, upon realizing that the policemen were closing in on them, opened fire on the team, and the policeman equally responded.
“The hoodlums who could not withstand the firepower of the operatives abandoned the victims and escaped,” DSP Bright Edafe added.
DSP Bright Edafe further added that the three kidnapped victims (names withheld) aged 40yrs, 54yrs and 49yrs respectively, were rescued unhurt and have been reunited with their families.
A manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
DSP Bright Edafe added that in another development, on 29/12/2022, while Police operatives attached to ‘A’ division Warri were on stop and search duty at the front of Daudu police outpost, Kpesu community Warri, they sighted a tricycle driving against traffic.
In an attempt to stop them, the suspects dangerously manoeuvre the tricycle and escaped, but in the process, a black handbag fell from the tricycle. Upon searching the bag, one locally made cut-to-size pistol was recovered. Efforts to arrest the fleeing suspects are ongoing.