Police Kill Four Kidnappers In Abia, Rescue Victim Unhurt

By Ignatius Okpara, Umuahia – Four members of a deadly kidnapping gang that have been terrorising Aba, Abia state and environ were on Thursday shot dead by a team of police men who engaged them in gun battle.

The hoodlums according to a police source, belong to a notorious criminal syndicate that have been making life unbearable for residents of the commercial city and environs.

AFRICAN EXAMINER gathered that the gang were trying to escape after abducting a staff of a beverage firm at Osisioma, when they met their waterloo.

The Source said “they were about moving, when a police team closed in on them at Abala Umuotu Village, in Obingwa council Area and they opened fire, in the ensuing gun battle, the gang lost four of their members to the superior fire power of the police”.

Several members of the gang were said to have escaped with serious injuries while the victim whose name was simply given as Humphrey was rescued unhurt by the police team.

The State Commissioner of Police, Joshak Habila who confirmed the incident said a Toyota Avensis car with Reg. No., Abia: ACH 181 AA belonging to an Abia State Government official and a double barrel shot gun was recovered from the gang.

He added that the remains of the dead members of the gang have been deposited at an undisclosed mortuary in Aba.

The Abia police chief also appealed to residents of the state to assist the police with useful information that could assist them track down the fleeing gang members and other criminal elements in the area.