Operatives of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force have killed wanted kidnap kingpin, Henry Chibueze, popularly known as “Vampire” in a fierce gun-battle in a forest in Rivers State.
The notorious criminal, rated by the police as the most deadly kidnaper in Nigeria, was on January 27 this year, freed by some armed members of his gang from prison officials in the premises of an Owerri, Imo State High Court and whisked away to an unknown destination.
A police source, however, told our correspondent that the notorious kidnapper was killed at about 1am on Thursday, when operatives of the IRT stormed his hide-out in Omu Awa Forest in Ikwerre Local Government Area and engaged members of his gang in a long exchange of fire.
It was gathered that Vampire and other members of his gang, who were caught unawares by the police team, engaged the IRT operatives led by Assistant Commissioner of Police, Aba Kyari, in a fierce gun battle lasting several hours.
Vampire was said to have been gunned down by the IRT team, which had superior fire power during the operation.
“On the directives of IGP Ibrahim Idris, massive manhunt was launched for Vampire and his gang-members, who rescued him, by IRT with Technical Intelligence Support from TIU. Eventually on 2/3/17, at about 0100Hrs, the overall gang leader, who was earlier rescued in Imo State High Court, Henry Chibueze aka Vampire, was fatally wounded during fierce gun battle with IRT personnel.
“Five of this gang members , Obinna Elah, 26; Vampire’s deputy, Arinze Abecheta, 24; Chukwu Ebuka Ikeazota, 23, Samuel Ugochukwu, 24 and Clifford Aheana, were also arrested by the IRT”, the police source told our correspondent.
It was further learnt that the suspects had already confessed to being members of the deadly kidnapping gang led by the late Vampire, adding that they were involved in his rescue from prison officials in the premises of the Imo High Court in January.
They also confessed to have executed four successful kidnappings after they rescued the late Vampire from the court.
A police sergeant attached to the IRT from Abia State was, however, reported to have sustained multiple bullet injuries during the gun battle with the suspected kidnappers.
The police man is said to have been admitted in an undisclosed hospital for treatment.
“Three of the kidnappers also sustained some degree of bullet wounds. Several AK47 rifles and large ammunition were recovered from them,” the police source added.
