Policemen from the Aba Area Command, Abia state has gunned down a kidnapper while four others escaped with bullet wounds at the Ama Ogbonna area of the commercial city.
The kidnappers were said to have threatened a cleric, Pastor Prince Samuel Origa to produce his son, Kelvin Origa who just came back from China or be killed.
247ureports.com gathered that the gang trailed the cleric to his residence, threatening to kill him unless he brings out Kelvin to settle them.
Pastor Origa said the kidnappers accosted him at Eziukwu by Jubillee road junction on his way back from a trip to Imo state. “I alighted from a tricycle and four able bodied men accosted me with a rifle and collected my hand bag containing a cash of N270,000, mobile phone, documents and other items. They trailed me to my house and surrendered everybody at gunpoint. I pleaded with them, and we agreed that they should come tomorrow to collect N1m. I informed the police at the Area Command about the incident.
“The following day, I was around the town when my neighbours informed me that the kidnappers are back to our house.
“I decided to go home and meet with them. On meeting them, they said, Oga we are looking for you, we came back for the settlement. I pleaded with them to relax that I have called my son to go and get the money. I asked them what drinks they will take, this one said Gulder, the other two said they want Star beer while remaining one refused to take anything and was monitoring my son’s actions, my wife went and brought drinks for them and we started discussion and they said they will collect N2m. I signaled my son to call the police who arrived on the spot, when they noticed the presence of the police, they started shooting but the police arrested one of them after the gun duel. The others fled with heavy bullet wounds. I thank God for saving me and my family. I also commend the police for their bravery.
Briefing newsmen after the incident, Police Area Commander in charge of Aba, ACP Rabiu Dayi urged residents of the city to volunteer information about criminals to the police, stressing that his men are battle ready at all times to come to the rescue of any resident in distress.
“I commend Pastor Origa for his courage, without this information, the police would not been able to arrest the kidnapper and they would have succeeded in collecting the N1m or more. We were able to arrest the kidnapper, others escaped with bullet wounds. We cannot allow criminals to take over the city. With the efforts of my Anti Robbery Squad, men of the Zone 9 and other police formations, the city will be uncomfortable for criminals.”
He appealed to medical practitioners and residents of Aba to report anybody with bullet wounds to the police.
