Suspected assailant killed, as security team rescues kidnapped victim in Anambra

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By Madu Obi

The joint security team comprising the Police, Military and Ihiala Vigilante on patrol, has rescued a kidnapped victim at Ihiala, Anambra State and killed one of the suspected kidnappers.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the team intercepted a black shuttle with reg nos: RSH 255MS that drove in a suspicious manner, stating that in an attempt to stop the vehicle, the armed occupants opened fire on the joint security team.

He said that in the ensuing gun duel, the team demobilized one of the armed assailants, while four others abandoned the shuttle bus and escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds into a nearby bush.

He said that on searching the vehicle, the team found a blindfolded victim, suspected to have been kidnapped and who was tied on the hand and legs while his mouth was sealed.

According to the PPRO, the victim was successfully rescued, given first aid and debriefed by the Police operatives.

He said that the vehicle was recovered and that the joint security team is still in operation in the area for possible arrest of those on the run.

He urged proprietors of private and public hospitals to admit people with wounds, but to report any individual presented with bullet wounds or injuries of a suspicious nature to the nearest Police Station.

"This measure is critical to the ongoing effort to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further escalation of criminal activities in the state.

The command remains committed to maintaining security dominance through sustained patrols and targeted security operations in the state", Ikenga said.