According to ASP Mansir Hassan, the Police Public Relations Officer in Kaduna, the kidnappers were en route from Abuja to Kano State when law enforcement intervened.

On January 18, 2024, operatives from the Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna, received a distress call about the kidnapping incident originating from Abuja, alerting them that the perpetrators and their victim were passing through Kaduna.

““The Operatives, at about 0010 hours, blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van with registration number Abuja RBC 90 DC, carrying four passengers, the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.”

“On sensing danger and in an effort to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the Policemen, and they responded accordingly. In the resulting gun duel, the victim, a certain Segun Akinyemi of block 10, flat 2 FCDA quarters Area 3 Garki, Abuja, was rescued, and one of the kidnappers, a 28-year-old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja, was arrested,” he said.

The police reported that the remaining three suspects who escaped are currently under pursuit. Additionally, items recovered from the kidnappers include the victim’s vehicle, two Retay G17 model pistols, one Beretta pistol, ten 9mm P.A.K ammunitions, and five 9mm special ammunitions.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was abducted on January 17, 2024, as he left his residence at the mentioned address.

The three fugitive suspects are identified as Chidibere Nwodibo of Life Camp, Abuja, one Auwal (surname unknown), and an unidentified gang leader.

The kidnappers were en route to Kano before being intercepted by the police.

Commending the operatives for their courageous actions, Commissioner of Police Kaduna State Command, CP A.D Ali, urged them to continue pursuing criminal elements in the state.

He also encouraged the public to use security agencies’ hotlines for prompt responses to distress calls.