BY AGNES NWORIE, ABAKALIKI
The Police in Ebonyi State have ordered manhunt for two fleeing kidnap suspects in the state.
The fleeing suspects, alongside their dead accomplice, were said to have kidnapped a female staff of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, on December 14 in her official car at about 4pm.
The Ebonyi State Police Command, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Odah Loveth, in Abakaliki, said that “On 14th December 2021 at about 16:00 hours information was received through the Command’s control room that one Chukwu Felicia Nkechi (female) of Noumber 3, Eze-Ukwaje Street, Mile 50, Abakaliki, was kidnapped in her official car, a Toyota Corolla 2011 model car along Nsugbe Street, Abakaliki by some armed men.
“On the strength of the report, the Police operatives attached to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Command swung into action, trailed the kidnappers to their hideout at New Layout, Nkaliki in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.
“The hoodlums, on sighting the Police, opened fire on them. The Policemen professionally engaged them in a gun duel. During the encounter, one of the hoodlums, who was later identified by the victim as the gang leader, sustained bullet wound injuries, while his gang members escaped to the nearby bush abandoning the victim/vehicle.
“The victim was rescued unhurt and taken to the hospital for medical check-up. The following items were recovered from the scene, One English Berretta pistol, with 9mm live ammunition and the said Toyota Corolla car.
“The injured suspect was rushed to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki for medical treatment but was later confirmed dead by a doctor on duty. The body was deposited at the hospital mortuary for presentation.
“The Commissioner of Police, Ebonyi State Command, Aliyu Garba, has ordered an intensive manhunt for the fleeing gang members.”
