The Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued Austin Ajah and Winifred Frank few hours after they were kidnapped.
Ajah and Frank were kidnapped on Saturday at about 6:19pm near Siat Palm Farm in Ubima, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
They were returning from Owerri, the Imi State capital, to Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, after attending a wedding.
A patriotic citizen who from a hiding place witnessed the incident informed the police that kidnappers whisked away the victims, abandoning their vehicle, Lexus Jeep RX 300, by the road side.
The police, after recovering the vehicle, got information sequel to robust intelligence that the victims were blind-folded and locked up in the house of Onyekachi Okpara, who is the leader of the gang in Omerelu town.
They quickly mobilised and stormed the house at about 1:15am on Sunday, rescued the victims and arrested Kingsley Bassey, a 23-year-old male, who was guarding the victims.
A big locally made revolver pistol with four live cartridges were recovered from him.
A statement by the police on Sunday said: “Interrogation of Bassey led to the subsequent arrest of his six other accomplices namely Nduzi Igoni ‘m’ 25 years, Ogechi Onyeso ‘m’ 24 years, Godbless John ‘m’ 24 years, Saturday Isiah ‘m’ 22 years, Gabriel Dimgba ‘m’ 26 years and Onyekachi Okpara ‘m’ 25 years.
“The rescued duo while describing their ordeal in the captivity as horrible moment they could wish even their enemy to experience, expressed their appreciation to the police for fearlessly and timely coming to their rescue. They further urged for continued cooperation of members of the public to the police especially in terms of volunteering timely and reliable information to the police.”
The police said the suspects would be charged to court immediately after conclusion of the ongoing investigation.
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