Imo State Police Command says it has rescued two victims abducted by yet-to-be-identified gunmen on Akwakuma road, Owerri West local government area in the state.
According to the Police, they had received a distress call that the Director of Dutch Global Gas Limited had been kidnapped alongside his friend.
It was gathered that the duo was double-crossed on Wednesday by five armed men who trailed and blocked his vehicle, a G-Wagon Jeep by a shop along the road.
The State Police Spokesperson, CSP Michael Abattam, disclosed that the gunmen were said to have driven in a sky blue coloured Lexus Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV).
Abattam said the gunmen shot sporadically into the air, causing fear, making passersby scamper for safety. The criminals further forced the victims out of their vehicle, pushed them into their Lexus jeep, and zoomed off.
However, the command’s tactical team on patrol within the crime scene sped to the area giving the hoodlums a hot chase.
“Immediately, the command’s tactical teams on patrol within the axis were alerted; they sped to the area giving the hoodlums a hot chase. Joined by other tactical teams, the kidnappers, on sighting their numbers and the pressure mounted, felt threatened; hence, they abandoned their vehicle with the victims and fleed into hiding. The victims were rescued unhurt and have since reunited with their families,” he said.
The spokesperson further revealed that efforts are being made to apprehend the fleeing suspects while noting that the victim’s vehicle has been recovered at the scene of the incident with three expended cartridges.
While commending the officers for their gallantry, the State Police Commissioner, CP Rabiu Hussaini, thanked residents for their cooperation.
He also urged them to continue to assist the police with credible information and report any suspicious person or activities seen within their neighborhoods to the nearest police station.
