Police smash kidnap syndicate in Abia

The police have smashed a kidnap syndicate at Ogbo Hill area of Aba, the com­mercial town of Abia State.

The police also thwarted an attempt by another group of hoodlums to escape with a stolen car, killing one member of the gang in the process while others escaped with bullet wounds.

Leye Oyebade, the state Commis­sioner of Police at a stakeholders’ meeting in Aba, Tuesday, said the feat was aided by timely information from members of the public and other sister security agencies, who are together de­termined to wipe out criminal activities in the area.

It was gathered that the owner of the recovered Toyota Sienna car, was shop­ping at a popular supermarket at Ogbor Hill, when some men approached him and later made away with his mobile phones, his car and other valuables.

The police boss told Cityfile that his men were contacted by a good Nigerian, who witnessed the incident.

Peter Wagbara, commander, Aba Area command, was said to have, upon receiving the information, detailed of­ficers from Azuka Police station to block the suspects’ exit route.

The source said that the gunmen on noticing that the police had blocked their exit route to New Umuahia Road, diverted to Aba City Centre, where they met a team from Azuka Police Station, leading to exchange of gunfire.

The driver was said to have lost con­trol of the car, which tumbled severally and veered off the road.

The driver reportedly died on the spot, while the other occupants of the vehicle escaped with bullet wounds.

Wagbara, who confirmed the inci­dent, said that the police were working to ensure that the fleeing members of the gang are arrested and brought to justice.

He said that the corpse of the de­ceased has been deposited into a morgue in Aba.