… Dislodge bandits, rescue 4 kidnap victims in Abuja***
Police in Ebonyi invaded a camp suspected to belong to the outlawed Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Tuesday and killed three persons.
The police spokesman in the state, SP Chris Anyanwu, told newsmen in Abakaliki that the camp is located within Isu, Onicha Local Government Area of the state.
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Anyanwu stated the raid was carried out jointly with the military and the Department of State Security.
“This was sequel to an attack on a police patrol team on Monday, during which the hoodlums murdered a policeman in cold blood.
“Based on intelligence at the disposal of the police, the hoodlums were traced to a camp at Isu.
“While surveying the one-way route into the camp, the hoodlums ambushed the security operatives and rained sporadic bullet shots in their direction.
“In a spontaneous response, the joint team engaged the hoodlums in a counter-attack and neutralised three of them. Some of the hoodlums scampered in different directions with bullet wounds,’’ Anyanwu said.
He added that the operatives later combed the area and recovered two AK47 rifles, a few rounds ammunition and three corpses of the assailants.
“The troops made their way into the main enclave of the miscreants and recovered more exhibits,’’ he said.
Anyawu listed exhibits recovered as One AK49 rifle, one AR rifle, 147 rounds of AR ammunition, 38 rounds of AK47 ammunition, one locally-fabricated double-barrelled pistol, two walkie-talkie sets, charms and one hospital card.
“One bank ATM card, two National ID cards, one Techno phone battery and other incriminating items were also recovered,’’ he said.
He added that police also swooped on the shrine/residence of two notorious native doctors, Itumo Edeh (63), Irem Ogbeji (50).
“One locally-fabricated pistol, one revolver pump action gun, two cartridges and charms were recovered from them.
“The duo was arrested in connection with incessant attacks on police formations and personnel and government establishments as well as preparing charms for hoodlums,’’ he said.
Anyawu advised medical practitioners and hospital operators to report patients with bullet wounds to the police for necessary action.
In the same vein, the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has dislodged some bandits, destroyed their hideouts and rescued four kidnap victims in Kuje area of the territory.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, DSP Josephine Adeh, made this known in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.
She said operatives invaded Dadu hills via Chukwuku village in Kuje Area Council of FCT following receipt of intelligence about the movement of suspected bandits holding some persons hostage in the area.
Adeh said the operation, carried out by the command in partnership with Destiny Hunters commenced at about 06:00hrs on May 31.
She said the rescued victims were Mustahudeen Sani, Felix Vaa, Adamu Isa and Abdulsalam Uzugiz.
According to her, Sani, Vaa and Isa were reportedly kidnapped between May 23 and May 25 at Kiyi village while Uzugiz was kidnapped at Angwan Gede Extension area, all of Kuje Area Council.
“Unfortunately, the Criminal elements, upon sighting the gallant advancement of the team engaged them in a gun duel where a member of the Destiny Hunters paid the ultimate price .
“The miscreants retreated with various degrees of gunshot injuries owing to the superior firepower of the team,” she said.
Adeh said the rescued victims had been reunited with their families after medical examination.
She said the Commissioner of Police (CP) in charge of the FCT, Mr Babaji Sunday, had extended his condolence to the family of the deceased.
She pledged the unflinching commitment of the CP to ride the FCT of crime and criminality.
Adeh enjoined FCT residents to remain vigilant, and strengthen their partnership with the Police.
She urged residents to provide prompt and actionable intelligence through 08032003913, 08061581938, 07057337653, and 08028940883.
