Operatives of the Imo State Police Command have killed two suspected kidnappers and rescued a severely injured kidnap victim. This was disclosed, yesterday, in a statement by the spokesperson of the command, Henry Okoye.

According to Okoye, the operatives had received a distress call that some hoodlums were at a hideout in Umuezorokam-Avu, in Owerri West Local Council of the state, terrorising some residents.

He said the gun duel with the criminals led to the neutralisation of two kidnappers with their corpses taken to a morgue, while a victim was rescued and taken to a hospital for medication. Okoye disclosed that on searching the pockets of the neutralised suspects, arms and ammunition were recovered.

“The victim was rescued with a deep machete cut on his hand and other parts of his body and was immediately rushed to Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, to receive medical attention while the lifeless bodies of the neutralised hoodlums were deposited at the morgue.

While commending the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Nekede, his men and the local vigilantes for a job well done, the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Ahmed Barde, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to ensuring that the lives and property of residents and visitors in the state are protected.

The CP stated that there would be no hiding place for criminally minded elements across the length and breadth of Imo, beckoning on residents to continue to support the police and other security agencies in the onslaught against all forms of crime and criminality. He said the command could be reached on phone via 08034773600 or 08098880197 in case of emergencies.