The Imo State Police Command, in collaboration with vigilantes of the State Homeland Security Organisation, has successfully intercepted a gang of suspected kidnappers along the Umukabia/Umuneke Road in Ngor-Okpala Local Government Area of Imo State.

In a statement issued on Monday in Owerri by the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, he said the gang had earlier abducted Hon. Sir John A. Ikewe, Supervisory Councillor for Culture in Aboh Mbaise LGA, and were fleeing with the victim in two vehicles when they were intercepted by operatives.

According to him, upon sighting the operatives, the suspects fired sporadically in a desperate attempt to evade arrest before abandoning the vehicles and fleeing into a nearby bush.

The PPRO said a follow-up clearance operation was immediately launched, during which operatives engaged the suspects in a controlled response and successfully rescued the victim unhurt.

He stated that during the encounter, one of the suspects, identified as Chimobi Lewechi from Obowo and a suspected member of the proscribed Eastern Security Network criminal network, sustained gunshot injuries.

He was evacuated to a hospital, where he was later confirmed dead by a medical practitioner.

Okoye said the operation also led to the recovery of two pump-action guns with five live cartridges, one Toyota Corolla with registration number LSR-348-JR, one Lexus RX 330 with registration number KGE-954-LX confirmed to belong to the rescued victim, an MP recorder, the sum of N77,200, charms, an ESN vest, and substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

He added that all recovered items had been taken into custody as exhibits for investigation.

The police spokesperson further disclosed that, regrettably, during the incident, a motorcyclist was fatally shot by the fleeing suspects, while a passenger sustained a gunshot injury to the leg and is currently receiving medical attention.

He said the remains of the deceased suspect and the motorcyclist had been deposited at the General Hospital Mortuary, Umueneke, for preservation and postmortem examination, while efforts were ongoing to track and arrest other fleeing members of the gang.

The Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, commended the professionalism, courage, and synergy between the operatives and vigilante partners during the operation.

He reiterated the command’s commitment to sustained intelligence-led operations against criminal elements and to ensuring the safety and security of residents of Imo. (Nigerian Tribune, but headline rejigged)