By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Abia State Commissioner of Police, Danladi Isah, has vowed to make the State unsafe for abductors ,and other criminal elements to operate.
This is just as the State Governor, Dr Alex Otti, directed the immediate demolition of a bungalow used as detention cell ,and operational base by kidnappers in the Osisioma Local Council of the State.
The duo spoke at a joint media briefing Saturday evening, March 15, 2025, held at the Banquet Hall of Government House, Umuahia where they announced the killing of six members of an abduction syndicate, and the rescue of four of their victims.
The CP informed that the neutralization of the hoodlums and the rescue of the victims were as a result of an intelligence-driven operation by officers of the Command’s Tactical Unit, in Osokwa Community, Osisioma, Ngwa Local Government Area of the State.
“On March 9, four men were kidnapped along Umuahia New Road, in Obingwa Local Government Area, by unknown gunmen.
“On receipt of a distress call, our tactical team immediately swung into action, utilizing our technology to track the kidnappers’ location in Osisioma.
“Yesterday ( Friday March 14,) we moved in and encountered them in a fierce gun battle. Despite being under intense fire, our Tactical Team successfully rescued the victims and neutralized six of the kidnappers”, CP Isah stated .
A statement from the Police Command further noted that two AK-47 rifles ,six magazines ,and 34 rounds of live ammunition were among the items recovered from the kidnappers’ hideout.
The Police Command noted that concerted efforts are underway to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
“The Commissioner of Police, Abia State, CP Danladi Isah, has advised the good people of Abia State to report anyone with gunshot injuries to the nearest police station”, the Police statement added .
The Abia State Governor warned that his administration will not spare any building and property identified as kidnappers’ cell or operational base .
“I directed earlier today ( Saturday,March 15,2025) that the bungalow in Osokwa ,Osisioma Local Government Area used in holding the four rescued kidnap victims be completely demolished.
“We will also identify and prosecute the owner of the building”, Governor Otti assured.
Similarly, the Abia state Governor directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs ,Prince Uzor Nwachukwu to demand for an official explanation from the Traditional Ruler of Osokwa Community on how kidnapped victims could be held in his area for five days without his knowledge.
This is even as he commended the Police Commissioner and his tactical unit operatives for their efforts in rescuing the kidnapped victims unhurt.
He also hinted on plans to handsomely reward the Police Officers who carried out the rescue operation.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s unwavering resolve not to cede any parts of the State to criminal elements.
“We have made it clear that no part of Abia will be ceded to criminals .On behalf of the Abia state Government ,I thank you for your efforts . I have already whispered to the CP that a financial reward awaits you (the operatives)
“There have been a lot of operations going in the State against criminal elements, but the way this one happened has given us much hope that we are on top of the security situation in the state.
“I want to congratulate the CP and his team for doing the needful and rescuing our people who were kidnapped a few days ago.
“We thank God that none of them (victims) was wounded because in the exchange of gunfire, anything can happen. We thank God they were all rescued safely”, the Governor noted.
The Abia State Governor assured of his administration’s readiness to continue upgrading the State’s security framework, leveraging on modern technological tools
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