Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have foiled an attempted kidnapping and armed robbery.
They alsorecovered two AK-47 rifles with 13 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition from the suspects.
The security operatives reportedly recovered the exhibits from where the culprits concealed them inside the vehicle engine compartment and in the trunk of the car.
This was contained in a statement issued by the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, on Monday.
The statement read, “On the said date at 2130hours, the command received credible information about a gang of suspected kidnappers around Okpe Local Government Area.
“Acting on this information, the Commissioner of Police, Delta State Police Command, CP Wale Abass, directed the Commander, Safer Highway, to mobilise men deployed around Sapele axis.
“Safer Highway Patrol team embarked on an intensive stop-and-search along Okwutaiire Community Okpe LGA, Delta State when they sighted a Toyota Camry 2.4 (number plate GGE 645 FM) that matched the description given by the informant and headed towards their direction.
“The driver on sighting the police immediately manoeuvred and zoomed off.
“The police chased them, forcing the driver and another occupant to jump out of the moving vehicle and flee into a nearby bush, abandoning the vehicle and a 54-year-old man.
“During the search of the vehicle, two AK47 riffles with 13 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition were recovered concealed inside the vehicle engine compartment and in the trunk of the car.
“Exhibits in custody, and investigation have commenced as effort is being made to arrest the fleeing members of the gang”.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Abass, has reassured of “continuous high-density patrols and operations within the state during the festivities and beyond.”
The CP further urged the public to voluntarily report any suspicious activity within their neighbourhood to the nearest police station.
