By Kamil Opeyemi
The police, in conjunction with a vigilance group, on Monday rescued one kidnap victim as they neutralised two suspected kidnappers in Kogi.
The Kogi Police Command’s Spokesman, SP Williams Ovye-Aya, made the disclosure in a statement issued in Lokoja.
Ovye-Aya said that the successful operation was in compliance with the directive of the State Commissioner of Police, Onuoha Bethrand, on curtailing criminal elements in the state.
“The is part of the measures by the police to deny criminals a safe heaven in the Kogi.
“The operatives of the Nigeria Police Force attached to Ife-Olukotun in an intelligence-led operation rescued one kidnapped victim, neutralized two (suspected) kidnappers and recoverd one AK 49 rifle with 14 rounds of live ammunition.
“This was consequence upon a report that some hoodlums invaded the camp of one Yahaya of Igbo-Ero in Ife-Olukotun and kidnapped him and another victim who they later released after robbing him of one ram.
“The hoodlums, on sighting the joint team, opened fire on them (security operatives) and a gun duel ensued, during which two suspected kidnappers were neutralised and the victim was rescued,” the spokesperson said.
According to him, effort is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and bring them to justice.
Ovye-Aya said that the CP, who praised the joint police and vigilance team for the breakthrough, reiterated his determination to sustain the ongoing onslaught against criminal elements in the state.