In the Owerri West Local Government Area, LGA, two alleged kidnappers have reportedly been slain by Imo State police, and their victim has been freed.

In addition, the command found charms, two cutlasses, and one cut-to-size pistol built locally.

A young man named (withheld) was being attacked with a machete by hoodlums carrying dangerous weapons along Umuezorokam-Avu in Owerri West LGA in an apparent attempt to kidnap him, according to a statement from the command’s spokesperson, Henry Okoye, released to the media on Thursday. This was in response to a distress call received on August 29, 2023, at approximately 1230 hours, from a Good Samaritan.

The DPO in charge of Nekede Divisional Headquarters, according to the statement, “quickly mobilised his personnel and, with the help of the Local Vigilantes, attacked the site.

The hoodlums began fire as soon as they spotted the police, but they were beaten back by the professionalism and tenacious resistance displayed by the ever-vigilant operators, who then manoeuvred into position and opened fire in response.

Two of the criminal syndicates were neutralised in the ensuing gunfight, while the others managed to flee into the nearby bushes while suffering varied degrees of gunshot wounds. To catch additional evading members of the criminal organisation, aggressive efforts are being made.

“A local cut-to-size rifle, two cutlasses, charms, and other items were found in the possession of the hoodlums who had been defeated.

“The victim was found with deep machete cuts on his hand and other parts of his body. He was immediately taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Owerri, where he is currently receiving medical care, while the dead bodies of the hoodlums who were neutralised were placed at the mortuary for preservation.

While praising DPO Nekede, his troops, and the neighbourhood vigilantes for a job well done, Imo State’s Commissioner of Police, CP Mohammed Ahmed Barde, reaffirmed the Command’s ongoing commitment to making sure that everyone in the State’s life and property are adequately secured.

“More so, the CP stated unequivocally that criminally inclined individuals will not be allowed to hide anywhere in Imo, and he beckoned on Imolite to continue to assist the Police and other sister security agencies in the assault against all forms of crime and criminality in the state.”