Police Kill 2 Kidnappers After 1-hour Gun Battle In Rivers

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command, on Friday, killed two suspected kidnappers during a raid on their hideout located in a forest between Oyigbo local government area and Igbo-Etche community in Etche local government area of the State.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the State, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement made available to journalists in Port Harcourt on Saturday, said the operatives also recovered one AK-47 rifle and 18 live ammunition during the raid.

The statement said the raid was carried out based on credible intelligence gathered on the gang, which was linked to the kidnap of a woman and her daughter on March 18, 2023 along Garrison axis of Port Harcourt.

“C4i Intelligence Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command in the early hours of Friday 19th May, 2023, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Oyigbo/Igbo-Etche Forest.

“The Operatives were acting on actionable intelligence gathered on the kidnapping gang. Upon sighting the Police team the hoodlums opened fire on them.

“During the gun duel that lasted for about an hour, the gang leader, who was later identified as Aka Blacky, was fatally wounded. Another suspect identified as Peter Nwafor ‘m’ was shot while trying to escape.

“The two suspects were taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital where they were confirmed dead by doctor on duty. Their corpses have been deposited at the UPTH Mortuary.

“The gang was linked to the kidnap of a woman and her daughter on 18th March, 2023 along Garrison, Port Harcourt. It would be recalled that two members of the gang had earlier been arrested.

“Exhibit recovered at the scene include 1 AK47 Rifle and 18 Live Ammunition.

“Meanwhile, residents of the state are advised to remain supportive, law-abiding, and vigilant and promptly report acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station or by calling the command’s emergency hotlines on 08032003514 and 08098880134,” the PPRO stated.