The Delta State Police on Monday said its operatives of Abraka police station were alerted of four suspected armed men operating in a silver-coloured Lexus SUV with reg. no. KSF 315 HF.
DSP. Bright Edafe, Public Relations Officer of Delta State Police Command in a statement, said the operatives were led by the DPO SP Fabian Ayameh.
According to him, the operatives while on routine patrol along campus III road Abraka, Ethiope East LGA, they were alerted of a kidnap incident at a filling station in Abraka by a gang of four armed men.
He said the team swiftly mobilized and went on the trail of the kidnappers.
“The suspects on noticing that the policemen were closing in on them, fired gunshots while trying to escape, and the police responded bravely.
“Due to the superior firepower of the police, their operational vehicle was successfully demobilized which made the hoodlums to abandon the victim, jumped out of the vehicle, took to their heels running in different directions while firing gunshots in a bid to escape.
“The combat ready policemen engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel and successfully neutralized one of them, arrested one other with serious gunshot injuries while two others escaped.
“One AK 47 rifle with breech no 06571 without a magazine was recovered. The victim who was kidnapped at the filling station has since been reunited with his family. Manhunt for the other fleeing suspect is ongoing,” the spokesman said.
The Commissioner of Police Delta state CP Wale Abass, while commending the DPO Abraka and his men for their courage and achievement, admonished them to sustain the tempo.
He also assures Deltans that the command will continue to sustain peace and security in the state and also reiterated that Delta state will be very hot for criminals until they quit or relocate as the state will never be a safe haven for them.