Following credible intelligence that a gang of kidnappers was operating along Okarki New Road, Borokiri, PortHarcourt, Rivers State at about 9:40pm last week Thursday 9th February, 2023, Police operatives attached to the Rivers State Police Command were swiftly mobilized to the scene.
The spokesperson for the Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe Koko in a Statement on February 15,2023 said upon sighting the operatives of the Command, the hoodlums took to flight.
SP Koko said the suspects left behind an ash coloured Toyota Corolla car with Reg. No. AGL 540 DV .She stated that on search of the vehicle, two (2) AK47 riffles with three (3) magazines, twenty-five rounds of live ammunition, a staff ID card of First Bank and UBA ATM cards, two pieces of One US Dollar note, one piece of 1000 Euro note, Two Thousand Eight Hundred Naria and a small jack knife were recovered.
The Police imagemaker added that the abandoned vehicle and its contents have been taken to the Police Command for discreet investigation, with a view to possibly arrest the fleeing suspects.
In a related development,operatives of the Rivers State Police Command attached to the C4i Intelligence Unit, raided the hideout of a five-man kidnap syndicate who specialize in kidnapping high-profile residents of the state and demanding huge monies as ransom last week Saturday(February,11,2023).
SP Grace Iringe Koko said the operatives, while acting on credible intelligence, on Saturday 11th February 2023 at about 0300hrs, swooped on the syndicate at Ndoki Water Side, Port Harcourt.
SP Koko stated that In the gun battle that ensued, a key member of the five man gang terrorizing Rivers State was neutralized.
She disclosed that one AK-47 rifle with 26 rounds of ammunition and one revolver pistol with 5 rounds of ammunition were recovered from the arrested suspect while one kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt.
The Police image maker revealed that efforts are being made to round up the fleeing members of the syndicate while adding that the Commissioner of Police urge all residents of Rivers State to remain calm, and vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the Police.
