A gunfight between security personnel and kidnappers in an Imo State forest resulted in the neutralization of two suspected kidnappers and the rescue of two kidnaped victims.
Ani Iniedu, the public relations officer for the Nigerian Police Force, reported that the operation was prompted by an intelligence tip.
He mentioned that local vigilantes and police officers mobilized to the woodland where the victims were being detained as a result of the report.
He said that the kidnappers attacked the security squad, sparking a gunfight.
Two of the alleged kidnappers were neutralized during the encounter, he continued, while others managed to flee with gunshot wounds.
“Two kidnappers were neutralized after the hoodlums engaged the operatives in a gun duel, while others escaped with gunshot injuries,” he claimed.
Two abducted people were found uninjured, according to the statement.
He continued, “The two abducted victims were successfully rescued unharmed.”
A vigilante participant in the operation, however, was shot and subsequently pronounced dead at a hospital.
“Unfortunately, one vigilante was confirmed dead at the hospital after suffering a fatal gunshot wound,” he said.
He came to the conclusion that the State Criminal Investigation Department, Owerri, is looking into the situation.
