Six kidnap murder suspects were neutralized during exchange of gunfire between the police operatives and notorious criminals who attempted to rescue their arrested gang members during Thursday night August 21st 2025 failed ambush on the operatives at their hideouts in Abia State, police authorities said.
A statement endorsed by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Maureen Chinaka on Thursday, said, “In furtherance of the investigation into the attack and kidnapping of the Director of Sobaz Oil and Gas on 04/03/2025 along Azumiri Road, Ukwa East LGA, Abia State, which led to the death of an ASP Tanko Naptip (CTU Rivers State Command), Anayo Ukwu, and the Managing Director of DozzMan Filling Station, Mr. Chidozie Confidence Chijioke, the Abia State Police Command intensified efforts in the process tracked down perpetrators and recorded a major breakthrough”.
Leveraging credible and actionable intelligence, DSP Chinaka stated that operatives traced the den of the suspected kidnappers to Ikot Ukpon Village, Obot Akara LGA, Akwa Ibom State, in connection with the above incident.
She explained that operatives of the Abia Command were exiting the camp after the successful operation, the hoodlums while attempting to escape, sustained gunshot injuries and died on the way to the hospital for medical attention.
The statement partly read, “However, as operatives of the Command were exiting the camp after the successful operation, they were ambushed by other members of the gang, who attempted to rescue their partners in crime.
“This resulted in a gun battle with the police. The six (6) arrested suspects, while attempting to escape, sustained gunshot injuries and died on the way to the hospital for medical attention”, according to the police.
The statement said other members of the gang fled with bullet wounds, while two police officers sustained gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
It also noted that further combing of the area is ongoing with the intent to arresting other fleeing kidnappers and to rid the area of kidnapping activities.
It further revealed that police operatives recovered: Two (2) AK-47 Rifles, Fifty-Seven (57) Live Ammunition, One (1) Locally Made Pistol, Six (6) Magazines, and One (1) big bag filled with materials suspected to be charms and fortification items were recovered in the scene.
Commending the gallantry of the operatives, the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Danladi Isa, who reaffirms the Command’s commitment to ensuring that there will be no hiding place for criminals, assured residents that unrepentant criminals will be made to face the wrath of the law.
The CP further stated that the Command will continue to collaborate with the Akwa Ibom State Police Command to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang.
He also urged the good people of Abia State to be security conscious and to support the police by promptly reporting anyone with bullet injuries and suspicious persons with criminal tendencies to police formations.
