A kidnapped victim escaped by the whiskers on Saturday  morning as he was rescued by  policemen from the  State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU)  from the claws of his abductors.
This was contained in  a release signed by the Delta Police Public Relations Officer , DSP Bright Edafe.
According to the statement, “On 06/08/2022 at about 2300,  Police operatives attached to State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) while on a Special duty alongside Sapele Divisional patrol team, flagged down a Toyota Camry with reg. No. AFM 47 AP with three occupants.
They  refused to stop for a search, instead, they  drove against traffic in a bid to escape along Okirigwe road, Sapele but were given a tireless chase by the Policemen until they got to a dead end.
“They  jumped down from the vehicle and escaped into a crowded place. The Policemen professionally did not open fire as the reason while they were running has not been established and did not want to hurt innocent persons in the process.
” When the team got to the abandoned vehicle, they saw a victim  (name withheld)  tied inside the car who was kidnapped by the suspects. He was rescued unhurt and has since reunited with his family.
“Exhibits  recovered includes, one locally made short gun,  one cutlass and their operational vehicle which is suspected to have been stolen.
Effort to arrest the fleeing suspects is ongoing”.
The release also stated that, “05/08/2022, at about 1715hrs, Anti crime patrol attached to ‘A’ Division Warri were on Stop and search duty at Iyara road when they intercepted a tricycle with three male occupants.
” The suspects surprisingly reversed the tricycle and sped off, the team upon suspicion went after them till they got to chevron Clinic road in Warri.
“The  hoodlums opened fire on the Policemen and the team equally responded, in the process, one of the Suspects was maimed while others escaped.
“The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.
” One locally made cut-to-size gun with six live cartridges and two expanded cartridges were recovered. Serious manhunt for the other members of the gang is ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police while appreciating the efforts of Deltans in the fight against crime and criminality,  urged them to be patient especially when they encounter Policemen on the road performing stop and search duty.
“He noted that Stop and search is one of the proactive ways in combating crime and nipping it at the bud.
“The CP assures all residents in the State that the Command remains committed in carrying out it’s core mandate which is the protection of life and property.”