Police Rescue Kidnap Victim, Recover Vehicle Used in Rivers Operation

Rivers State Police successfully rescue a kidnap victim and recover the criminals’ operational vehicle, marking a significant security breakthrough.

In a rapid and praiseworthy operation, the Rivers State Police Command has successfully rescued Madabuchi Julius, who was kidnapped in Oyigbo Urban within the Oyigbo Local Government Area on Sunday, November 17, 2024.

According to a statement from Superintendent of Police Grace Iringe-Koko, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the rescue operation occurred in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

In addition to aiding the victim’s recovery, the operatives also recovered a black Toyota Corolla with registration number RIVERS PHC 938 AH, which had been used by the kidnappers as their operational vehicle.

Iringe-Koko disclosed that the attackers had begun shooting indiscriminately at Sabbath Filling Station in Oyigbo prior to kidnapping Julius.

The police’s swift response resulted in the safe recovery of both the victim and the vehicle, demonstrating their dedication to maintaining residents’ safety and security.

The statement partially states: “On November 17, 2024, at approximately 8:23 PM, the Command’s operatives received a distress call from their Control Room reporting that about four armed men in a black Toyota Corolla had fired shots indiscriminately and kidnapped an individual named Madabuchi Julius ‘m’ at Sabbath Filling Station in Oyigbo.”

Operatives were quickly dispatched to the scene, causing the hoodlums to flee upon noticing their arrival. The operatives pursued them in a heated chase and eventually intercepted them on Egbu Street, Oyigbo. A gunfight then erupted between the Police Operatives and the hoodlums.

The police spokesperson mentioned that the perpetrators, unable to withstand the superior firepower of the police, ultimately abandoned both their victim and operational vehicle before fleeing.

“The PPRO stated that the victim was safely rescued without any injuries, and the vehicle was retrieved.”

The statement emphasized that the investigation is still in progress, with increased efforts to capture other escaping gang members and retrieve their weapons.

Meanwhile, on Monday, operatives from the Command successfully carried out a coordinated covert operation based on credible intelligence. During this operation, they arrested 25-year-old Gabriel Morris at St. Lorinta Street in Oyigbo Local Government Area of Rivers State; he is a resident of Mercy Ground in Kom-Kom.

The statement indicated that the suspect admitted during questioning to being part of a syndicate terrorizing communities in Oyigbo LGA.

Iringe-Koko reported that the items recovered from the suspect included a locally made pistol and a quantity of substances believed to be Indian Hemp.

The PPRO stated that this successful operation highlights the Rivers State Police Command’s effectiveness in tackling kidnapping and various other forms of crime within the state.