11 kidnappers, robbers killed in Rivers

No fewer than eight suspected kidnappers were killed by
operatives of the Rivers State Police Command during a
fierce gun battle in various parts of the state.
killed were three armed robbers, who engaged the
policemen in a gun duel in Port Harcourt and its environs.
The State Police Commissioner, Mr. Musa Kibo, said the new
strategy adopted by the command had made it possible to
apprehend some of the criminals and recover arms and
ammunition.
Stating that six armed robbery and seven kidnap suspects
were arrested, Kibo disclosed that six kidnap victims were
rescued from various criminal hideouts in the state.
He pointed out that apart from the arrest of suspected
kidnappers and armed robbers within the past one week, six
suspected cultists were also apprehended by operatives of
the command.
Kibo, who spoke with newsmen on Monday at the State Police
Command in Port Harcourt, identified arms and
ammunition recovered from the suspects as three AK-47
rifles, 11 pump action, two short guns, three double barrel
guns, three single barrel guns, 25 assorted ammunition and
76 cartridges.
He said nine vehicles were also recovered from the
suspected criminals.
“On 16/09/2015 at about 10pm by Christ Avenue, Off
Reclamation Road, Port Harcourt, our operatives, acting on
a tip-off, raided a hideout of a criminal gang that
specialized in robbing unsuspecting members of the public
and recovered six assorted suspected stolen vehicles,
including a BMW X5 Jeep with registration number Lagod
FKJ 673 DM.
“On 18/09/2015 at about 2pm, police patrol team at Igbo
Etche intercepted a four-man armed robbery gang. Three
of the suspects were killed during an exchange of fire.
“Earlier, a team of policemen raided a kidnappers’
hideout around Bille and safely rescued one Monday
Elahor, who was abducted on September 2, 2015. Elahor was
rescued after a stiff resistance from the suspected
kidnappers.
“Three of the kidnappers killed while one of them, Chukwu
Paul, was arrested. One AK-47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62
live ammunition and four machetes and charms were
recovered at the scene,” Kibo said.
The state police commissioner also identified one Samuel
Chijor (23) and two others, who were arrested for being
involved in cult activities.
Chijor was alleged to have been responsible for some of the
killings in Onne, Eleme Locl Government Area of Rivers
State.
Kibo warned criminals in the state to either relocate from
the state or turn a new leaf and become responsible citizens
of the country, adding that the onslaught against hoodlums
would be sustained until crime was brought to a tolerable
level.
“I have also directed all Area Commanders and Divisional
Police Officers to redouble their efforts in crime fighting by
embarking on massive raids of suspected criminal hideouts
and black spots,” the state police boss said.
He thanked members of the public for assisting the
command with timely and credible information.