Police Bust Kidnapper’s Den in Abia, Rescue Four Victims

The Abia State Police Command has busted a kidnapper’s hideout located in Osokwa community in Osisioma Local Government Area rescuing four victims in the process.

Presenting the kidnapped victims to Governor Alex Otti at Government House Umuahia, the State Commissioner of Police CP Danladi Isa said the four men were kidnapped along New Umuahia Road in Obingwa LGA.

“They were double crossed by unknown gunmen, kidnapped and taken to an unknown destination.

“The tactical team (of the police) swung into action with the use of the technology we have, which is also what you (Gov. Otti) have assisted us with and in so doing, we have been on their trail and by the grace of God, we were able to track them to Osisioma area, CP Isa said.

“In the exchange of gun fire that ensued, six of the kidnappers were neutralised and some escaped with bullet injuries. The Police are still searching for them and I can assure the public that they must be apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.”

He disclosed that two AK-47 rifles, 6 magazines and 34 rounds of live ammunition were recovered in the process assuring that the police will not rest on its oars to ensure continued peace in the State.

He described the achievements made so far by the Police as the dividend of Governor Otti ‘s continuous support to security agencies.

Responding Governor Alex Otti thanked the Commissioner of Police and the tactic team for a job well done, reaffirming his total commitment to the security of lives and property of Abia residents.

“There have been a lot of operations left, right and center but the way this happened gave us a lot of worry and I want to congratulate the CP and his team for doing the needful and getting our citizens who were kidnapped a few days ago back in one piece.

“We want to thank God that none of them was wounded, because in the exchange of fire, anything could have happened. We thank God that they were all rescued alive and healthy,” Gov. Otti stated.

Governor Otti vowed to continue to keep Abia State safe and free from the activities of criminal elements including upgrading of the technology used by the Police for effective combating of crime.

“We will continue to do everything possible to keep the State safe.

“I want to thank all of you and reassure Abians and investors that Abia State will continue to be safe for residents and everyone who wants to live or do business in the State.

“For us in Abia, security is critical. I had said it time and time again, that we would not yield any inch of Abia to criminals. I thank God that the (Police) are also very willing and able to use technology which has helped in enforcing law and order here.

“We will continue to upgrade the technology, I know in no distant future, we will have a command and control centre here in the State capital,” Gov. Otti stated.

The Governor ordered that the demolition of bungalow used by the abductors in Osokwa, Osisioma LGA and the owner of the house be arrested and prosecuted.

He further directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to invite the traditional ruler of the area for a chat and questioning, adding that it is strange that no one reported such movement in such small community to the law enforcement agencies.

Narrating their ordeals, one of the kidnapped victims (name withheld) informed that the incident happened on Sunday, the 9th of March, 2025, at about 8 PM when they were going to drop one of their friends around Osusu Amaukwa village in Obingwa LGA.

According to him, the kidnappers numbering about four, who had already abducted someone and his vehicle, double-crossed their vehicle and abducted three of them at gun point and drove them to an unknown destination.

He said that they were at the kidnappers’ den from that Sunday, the 9th till Friday the 14th, noting that they lost their phones and money (through e- transfer).

“We were kept in a room without any ventilation; a very small room. There was no window. We were there for like five days. So, they collected the phone numbers of our family members who they were contacting to get ransom.

“On Friday afternoon, after we had prayed, we heard gunshots. That was when the Nigeria Police came for our rescue. They exchanged gun fire with the kidnappers and by the special grace of God, they rescued and saved us unharmed. They (the police) broke the door where the kidnappers kept us and brought us out of the place” he narrated.

He thanked the Governor and the Police for their professional conduct and the deployment of technology to track and rescue them unharmed.