The operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (Tiger Base) of the Imo State Police Command on Friday , October 4, 2024 shot and killed a suspected terrorist at Ezumoha Community in the Mbaitoli Local Government Area of the state during an intelligence -led operation.
The police operatives who carried out the operation jointly with soldiers also rescued four kidnapped individuals who were abducted along Owerri -Orlu Road on September 29, 2024.
The Police Public Relations Officer PPRO ASP Henry Okoye disclosed this in a statement on Friday, October 4, 2024.
ASP Okoye gave the names of the rescued victims as Eze Okoro of Orlu Local Government Area, Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Nwosu, aged 44 and 31 respectively, both natives of Ohi in Mbaitoli Local Government Area and Bartholomew, a 56-year-old indigene of Benue State.
ASP Okoye further disclosed that as security operatives approached the hideout of the terrorists, the suspects opened fire but were effectively repelled.
The police spokesman added that the gun duel, the security personnel neutralized one of the terrorists.
According to the PPRO, other terrorists fled into nearby bushes with varying injuries.
He listed items recovered from the hideout of the terrorists to include a pump-action gun, ten live cartridges and four expended cartridges.
Others were four locally made explosives, a native bulletproof vest,, one Biafran flag, two Highlander SUVs, an ash-coloired Toyota Camry and various criminal charms.
ASP Okoye said efforts are being made to apprehend the fleeing suspects, underscoring the Command’s commitment to collaborating with other security agencies to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the state.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, and the Commander of the 34 Field Artillery Brigade,, FAB, Obinze, have commended the operatives for their swift and effective action.
They urged the joint operatives to maintain their momentum in the continuous fight against crime in the state.
Recall that there has been an upsurge in kidnapping i in Imo State. Three doctors including the Medical Director of St David's Hospital Ikenegbu Layout Owerri, Dr. Chibueze Anyanwu were kidnapped in late September this year.
Also, a Senior Secondary School SS3 student of the Young Scientists College Owerri, Favour Odom was on Saturday September 21, 2024 after boarding a bus at Ahiara Junction in Ahiazu Mbaise Local Government Area to Owerri.
