See How Police Rescue Abducted Man, Recover N830,000 Ransom In Abia

The Abia State Police Command has arrested a 52-year-old man suspected to be involved in a kidnapping operation in the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Umuahia.

According to Chinaka, operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) stormed a kidnappers’ hideout at Ugwashi Forest in Old Umuahia following credible intelligence.

She said the operation led to a gun battle between the police and the suspected kidnappers.

“The suspects fled the scene after they could not withstand the superior firepower of the police operatives,” she said.

Chinaka added that one suspect was arrested during the operation, while a 46-year-old kidnapping victim from Old Umuahia was rescued unharmed.

She further disclosed that police recovered N830,000 allegedly collected as ransom from the victim’s family.

According to her, investigations are ongoing, while efforts have been intensified to track down and arrest other fleeing gang members.

The Police Public Relations Officer said the Commissioner of Police in Abia, Danladi Isa, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property across the state.

She noted that the commissioner stressed the importance of collaboration between residents and security agencies in combating crime.

Isa urged members of the public to provide timely and credible information to the nearest police station and encouraged residents to make use of the command’s emergency lines.

He also advised residents to remain vigilant and embrace the principle of “see something, say something” to help improve security in the state.