The Rivers State Police Command has rescued the Branch Manager of FCMB Bank, Choba, Mr. Standfast Barnabas, who was kidnapped on Saturday December 13, 2014.
Operatives of the command had stormed the den of Barnabas abductors in Rumuola, Port Harcourt, at about 12 midnight after a tip off on the whereabouts of the victim.
The State Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Mohammad, who disclosed this to newsmen in Port Harcourt, pointed out that the kidnappers engaged policemen on a rescue mission in a fierce gun battle.
Mohammad explained that three of the kidnappers were killed during the gun duel on Tuesday while one sustained gunshot injuries and another in charge of their weapons escaped.
“On 16/12/2014 at about 1210 hours, following a tip-off, police operatives stormed kidnappers’ den located at Rumola where their victim, Mr. Standfast Barnabas, Branch Manager of FCMB Choba, kidnapped on 13/12/2014 was kept.
“On sighting the police, the kidnappers engaged them in a gun duel. Unfortunately, luck ran against the kidnappers as three of them were killed while one was injured and the one in possession of their operational firearm managed to escape,” the state police spokesman added.
Mohammad further disclosed that one locally made pistol was recovered on Wednesday morning after a search was conducted within the house where Barnabas was kept.
He, however, assured members of the public of the command’s instant response to tip-offs and distress calls, urging them to always be security conscious.
According to him, “The command wishes to continually reassure the people of its readiness of sustained instant response to tip-offs and distress calls within shortest possible time.
“The command also urges members of the public to be security conscious and report any character or move capable of undermining the existing public peace and security to the nearest police station or call the following police distress phone lines; 08032003514,08028915460, 08028915462 and 08160723892.” Punch
