Police secure release of 14 oil workers kidnapped in Rivers state

The Rivers state Police Command has confirmed the rescue of fourteen oil workers kidnapped at Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government area of the state.

The Command in a statement signed by its Spokesman, DSP Nnamdi Omoni said the gang responsible for the operation has been smashed.

Omoni said the Oil Workers were rescued unhurt due to the efforts of the Command’s Tactical Units. He said the personnel of the Tactical Units engaged the hoodlums in a fierce gun battle which lasted for one and half hours, leading to the rescue of the victims.

The Rivers state Police Command said the gang escaped during the gun battle but assured that they will be apprehended and brought to justice.

According to the statement, “The Commissioner of Police Rivers State Police Command, CP Francis M. Odesanya in keeping with his pledge to fight all manners of crime and criminality in the state, which pledge is already yielding fruitful result, has again smashed the gang of kidnappers responsible for the abduction of fourteen (14) Oil Workers on the 2nd day of September 2016.

“The Oil Workers were rescued unhurt due largely to the efforts of the Command’s Tactical Units, who, at the early hours of today 18/9/2016, engaged the hoodlums, in a fierce gun battle which lasted for one and half hours, leading to the rescue of the victims, the hoodlums took to flight abandoning their hostages. Efforts are on to arrest and bring them to justice.

“The last of the hostages, seven in number were rescued unhurt bringing the total number to fourteen (14). However, no ransom was paid. They have been debriefed and are receiving medical attention in the hospital. Investigation is on-going at the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit.

“The names of the fourteen (14) hostages released are as follows: Uche Obuh, Oliseh Onabrakpeya, Bisong Jacob, Hohn Ambrose, Elijah Walter, Onah Onyekachukwu, Okoro Emmanuel, Oliver Onah, Collins Joseph.

“Others are, Ndifreke Elkannah, Raphael Odili, Babatunde Joseph, Unah Gregory, Double Chief.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Francis M. Odesanya wishes to appeal to the residents of the state to have confidence in his ability to reduce crime to its barest minimum in the state, urging them to go about their lawful businesses without fear, as the Command has been repositioned and re-energized to do battle with perpetrators of heinous crimes in the State.

“While appealing to the public to cooperate with the police in the area of information sharing.”