On Thursday, police officers exchanged gunfire as they freed Segun Akinyemi, an Abuja resident who had been kidnapped while driving out of his house.
According to Kaduna State Police Public Relations Officer ASP Mansir Hassan, the kidnappers were transporting Akinyemi from Abuja to Kano State when they were apprehended by police.
He stated that on January 18, 2024, operatives assigned to Kawo Divisional Headquarters in Kaduna State got a distress call reporting an abduction occurrence in Abuja.
He stated that they were notified that the perpetrators and their victim were traveling via Kaduna.
Hassan said, “The operatives, at about 0010 hours, blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van with registration number Abuja RBC 90 DC, carrying four passengers, the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.
“On sensing danger and in an effort to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the policemen, and they responded accordingly. In the resulting gun duel, the victim, a certain Segun Akinyemi of Garki, Abuja, was rescued, and one of the kidnappers, a 28-year-old Chinaza Philip, of Life Camp Abuja, was arrested.”
The police also said that the three other suspects who fled were being pursued, as well as the victim’s car, two Retay G17 model handguns, one Beretta pistol, ten 9mm P.A.K ammo, and five 9mm special ammunition found from the kidnappers.
He added early investigations indicated that the victim was taken on January 17, 2024, as he was leaving his residence at the aforementioned address.
He identified the three fugitive suspects as Chidibere Nwodibo of Life Camp, Abuja, one Auwal whose surname is unknown, and the gang leader whose identity has yet to be determined.
The kidnappers were carrying their victim to Kano before being apprehended by police.
A. D. Ali, Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State Police Command, praised the operatives for their bravery but ordered them to continue going after criminal groups in the state.
He urged the public to use security services’ hotlines for any distress calls that required a rapid response.
