OPERATIVES of the Rivers State Police Command on Monday rescued a 75-year-old monarch, Edi Igwe Matthias, after spending 17 days in the kidnappers’ den.
Matthias, who is the paramount ruler of Ubomini in Emohua Local Government Area, was abducted from his palace on May 28, 2016 by a group of five kidnappers.
It was gathered that the kidnappers wore military camouflage when they stormed his palace, shot into the air, before whisking him away.
Speaking with newsmen in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ahmad Muhammad, disclosed that the police, who acted on a tip-off, moved to Umuapu in Ohaji LGA of Imo State, where the kidnappers were holding the monarch hostage.
Mohammad said the kidnappers began to shoot on sighting security operatives, adding that three of the hoodlums were gunned down during an exchange of fire.
The state police spokesman further disclosed that one AK 47 rifle was among the items recovered from the kidnappers.
He said, “We got information that they (kidnappers) moved to Umuapu in Imo State after kidnapping the paramount ruler. Our men, yesterday (Monday) stormed the place.
“As usual, there was a gun battle and three of the suspected kidnappers were gunned down, one AK 47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62 mm life ammunition were recovered from the hoodlums.
“The 75-year-old man was kidnapped on May 28, 2016. He is the paramount ruler of Ubomini in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.”
He pointed out that the septuagenarian had been taken to a hospital for medical check-up after he was released to his son.
Meanwhile, five suspected armed robbers, who were operating at the Prisons farm in Elele, Ikwerre LGA of Rivers State, were on Monday killed during a shootout with security operatives.
Muhammad disclosed that one AK 47, two special rifles, three locally-made guns and 110 life ammunition were recovered from the robbers.
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