C4i Intelligence personnel of the Rivers State Police Command in the early hours of Friday, May 19, 2023, raided a suspected kidnappers’ hideout at Oyigbo/Igbo-Etche forest.
A statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police command, SP Grace Iringe Koko said Police operatives acting on a tip off stormed the hideout of the criminals, but upon sighting the Police they opened fire on them. During the gun duel that lasted for about an hour, the gang leader, who was later identified as Aka Blacky, was fatally wounded and another, identified as Peter Nwafor was shot while trying to escape.
The Police image maker said the two suspects were taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital where they were confirmed dead while their corpses have been deposited at the UPTH Mortuary.
According to SP Koko, the gang was linked to the kidnap of a woman and her daughter on 18th March, along Garrison, Port Harcourt.
She listed exhibits recovered at the scene including one AK47 rifle, and 18 live ammunition.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have been advised to remain supportive, law-abiding, and vigilant and promptly report acts of crime and criminality to the nearest police station.
