Men of the Imo State Police Command have busted a kidnapper’s hideout in Owerri West Local Government Area, arresting seven suspects while three captives were rescued.

According to the spokesman for the Police Command, Andrew Enwerem, the suspects were paraded at their hideout shortly after they were apprehended at the forest in Avu community in Imo State.

Mr Enwerem said the suspected kidnappers abducted their victim on Saturday and kept them in the bush, while demanding for a huge sum of money.

He added that following a tip-off, men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Command swung into action and located the hideout.

The Police Spokesman said on getting there, the suspects engaged the policemen in a shoot-out, but were later overpowered by the Police which led to their arrest.

“At about 0230hrs to 0300 hours on Tuesday, men of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit stormed a kidnapper’s den in Avu, Owerri west Local Government Area of Imo State, following an intelligence tip-off about the kidnap of three people.

“On getting to the forest, the kidnappers engaged our men in a shoot-out and after several minutes of shooting, the kidnappers were overpowered and seven suspects were arrested with dangerous weapons while three victims were rescued.

“The Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, is reassuring people of the state to go about their lawful duties without fear, as the Command is intensifying efforts to ensure that the state is safe for residents to do business and live,” he said. (Channels TV)