Police kill 6 kidnappers in Abia, rescue 4 victims, as Otti orders demolition of building used as kidnappers’ den
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State Police Command on Friday killed six suspected kidnappers in Osisioma Ngwa local government area of the state.
The State Police Commissioner, CP. Danladi Isa, who disclosed this to newsmen Saturday evening at Banquet Hall, Government House, Umuahia, also revealed that four kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt in a daring rescue mission by the Police.
Following the incident, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has ordered immediate demolition of the building where the kidnapped victims were held hostage.
He said the six kidnappers were gunned down by operatives of the Command’s Tactical Team during a a fierce gun battle with the kidnappers when the tactical Team went on a mission to rescue the kidnapped victims at Osokwa in Osisoma Ngwa.
Narrating the incident to the State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, CP Isa said: “We are here to showcase one of the achievements we have recorded in a couple of days over a kidnapping incident which is the product of your support to Abia Police Command, it is the dividend of your support to security agencies in the state
“The Abia State Police Command received a report that on 09/03/2025 at about 09:30 hours, four men who were driving in their Toyota RAV4 along New Umuahia Road, Obingwa, were kidnapped by unknown armed men. They victims were double crossed and kidnapped.
“The Tactical Team swung into action with the technology you gave us and leveraging on credible intelligence trailed the kidnappers to their hideout in Osokwa, Osisoma on 14/03/2025, where the victims were held hostage for five days in a three-bedroom bungalow. We cordoned off the area.
“On sighting our men, the kidnappers opened fire. The Tactical Team came under attack by the kidnappers. However, the criminals could not withstand the superior firepower of the Command’s tactical teams as six members of the kidnapping syndicate were neutralized and other members escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The four kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt and were immediately taken to the Police Hospital, for medical attention.”
The CP said the Police recovered two AK-47 rifles, six magazines and 34 rounds of live ammunition at the scene of the incident.
He advised Abians to report anyone with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station or contact the Command through the following emergency numbers: 08035415405, 08079210004, 08079210005, 08079210006.
Responding, Governor Alex Otti, who was full of gratitude to God that the four kidnapped victims were rescued alive, thanked the Police profusely for the feat and specially commended the CP Isa “for the great job he is doing in Abia.”
“The way this thing happened, it gave us a lot of worry and I want to congratulate the CP for doing the needful and getting our citizens who were kidnapped a few days ago back in one piece.
“I want to thank God that none of them was wounded because in the exchange of fire, anything could have happened, such an exchange that led to neutralization of six of the kidnappers. But we thank God that they were all rescued alive and healthy,” the Governor said.
The Governor disclosed that he has ordered the demolition of the building used by the kidnappers and directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to interface with the traditional ruler of the area.
“I had instructed earlier today that the bungalow in Osokwa in Osisoma local government area where the kidnappers operated from and kept the kidnapped victims should be brought down completely.
“We will locate the owner of that house if he has not been located, he will be prosecuted. Anywhere people who yield their houses to criminals, that means that those landlords are also criminals themselves. We will be intolerant with such people, going forward,” Governor Otti said, reiterating that his administration would not yield an inch of Abia territory to criminals.
Congratulating the 11-man tactical team who came to the briefing with promise of financial rewards, Governor Otti said: “On behalf of the Abia State Government, I thank the tactical team for the great job they are doing. Congratulations! Keep up the good job and Abia State will be safe.
“I thank God also that you are very willing and able to use technology which has helped in enforcing law and order here. We will continue to upgrade the technology. I’m sure that in no distant future, we will have a Command and Control Centre here in the state capital. We have already gone far in the discussion,” he disclosed.
The Governor vowed that his administration would strive to ensure that Abia enjoys peace and security. “We will continue to do everything possible to keep this state safe. We assure you that Abia State will continue to be safe for Abians and residents,” the Governor said.
Narrating their ordeal, one of the victims told journalists that they were on a outing last Sunday evening when their assailants double crossed them, with guns pointed at them, and abducted them; took them to their hideout and locked them up for five days without giving them anything to eat until they were rescued last Friday.
