Anambra police rescue kidnap victims, mob kill suspect

A crowd of angry mob in Awada, Onitsha, Anambra State, weekend killed a kidnap suspect after a team of police operatives foiled attempted kidnap of two victims by a gang of seven bandits. The killed suspect is said to be part of gang of kidnappers.

The development followed an earlier incident in which the police in the state also rescued another victim and recovered his lexus 350 saloon car in Aguata area of the state.

The Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of the Anambra State Police Command, Ikenga Tochukwu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police, stated that the successes were part of an evolved security strategy emplaced by the Commissioner of Police, CP Echeng Echeng to improve police operatives’ assertiveness in the society.

He said the strategy is backed by a well-coordinated positioning on response to security incidents in the State.

Mr Ikenga Tochukwu, stated that the mob killed one of the suspects at Awada, Onitsha, as the police chased the other assailants who were on the run.

He said police operatives have already initiated operations aimed at arresting the fleeing gang members and mob suspects who took laws into their hands by setting ablaze the arrested suspect.

He said the police collaborated with local security operatives in foiling the kidnap attempt, but he did not name the other security team involved in the rescue operation.

Mr Tochukwu stated that the police recovered two Toyota vehicles including a Highlander and a Camry.

“The Anambra State Police Operatives collaborating with security operatives at about 9pm on 23/6/2022 rescue two kidnap victims and recover a Toyota Highlander jeep with reg nos NSH 398 HA and Toyota Camry with reg nos BRS 941 AA.

“Preliminary information, shows that security operatives intercepted a seven man kidnap gang along Awada,” he narrated.

He stated that six out of the seven gang members escaped during the attempt to arrest the criminals. He added that the kidnappers abandoned both a victim’s vehicle and their operational vehicle.

“The seventh person (who was) arrested was lynched by an angry mob and set ablaze before police operatives could arrive the scene,” he stated.

Commissioner of Police in charge of Anambra State, Mr Echeng, reportedly condemned the act of mob action by some members of the public who resorted to jungle justice whenever they arrest suspects in respect of criminal allegations without recourse to the Police for proper investigation.

The Commissioner, according to Mr Tochukwu, urged the public to always exercise restraint by not taking the law into their hands.

“They should endeavour to take such suspects to the nearest police station whenever they are apprehended. This would afford the Police the opportunity to conduct appropriate investigation into the nefarious activities of the suspects; and bring them to justice in accordance with extant laws,” he stated.

At Aguata, Mr Tochukwu said, police operatives at about 4 pm June 25 “rescued an abducted victim and recovered one Lexus 350 Salon with Reg. Nos. EPE 316 HE and Ford SUV with Reg Nos. GGE 769 FT along Ezinifite road, Aguata LGA.”

“The victim was abducted in the early hours of today at Nwanchi village, Agulu. The abductors, forced the victim inside the booth of his Lexus and took off. The Police on receipt of the information intensify patrols and restrategize on operational positioning within the area. This made the hoodlums abandon the victim, his vehicle, their Operational vehicle and fled. Meanwhile operation is still ongoing aimed at arresting the criminals.

“However, the CP assures that the confidence reposed in the police on protection of lives and properties, maintenance of law and order will never be taken for granted.”