Imo State police command says at least one suspect has been neutralized following the rescue of a kidnap victim, 46-year-old Uzondu Kaka a native of Umunuma Okohia Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State, ABN TV reports.
He was said to have been kidnapped on July 1 by unknown gunmen operating in a blue coloured Four Runner SUV vehicle without a registration number who trailed and kidnapped him to the entrance of his house in Umunuma Okohia Isiala Mbano LGA of Imo State
In a statement made available to ABN TV by the command’s Spokesperson, CSP Mike Abattam, upon receipt of the information on July 5, police traced the location where the kidnappers used as their den to a forest at Ehime Mbano LGA of Imo State.
The kidnap suspects were said to have engaged police in a gun duel upon sighting them, leading to the death of a suspect while others escaped with gunshot wounds.
The police announced that the victim was rescued unhurt.
According to the command, one of the operatives of the police tactical team who sustained a gunshot injury was rushed to the hospital where he is presently, receiving treatment.
Items recovered from the scene, one pump action gun, five (5) live cartridges, six (6) expended cartridges and sellotape used in blindfolding the victim.
“The rescued victim then informed the tactical teams that he was robbed of the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand Naira, his ATM card, and other valuables. The corpse of the neutralized suspect was later deposited at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Owerri, Imo State.
“Meanwhile, efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects with gunshot injuries.
“The command is using this medium to call on the general public/ hospitals to report any person or persons seen with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station” the statement added.