Three killed, woman rescued as kidnappers battle police in Anambra

A SIX-man gang of suspected kidnappers yesterday
engaged Anambra State Police Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS,
in a gun battle at Okpoko in Ogbaru local government area
during which three members of the gang were feared dead
and a woman, Mrs. Edith Maduekwe, kidnapped by the
gang, rescued by the police.
Mrs. Maduekwe, who was kidnapped by the suspects on
October 4, 2014 at Oba in Idemili South local government
area was rescued at an erosion site in Oraukwu in Idemili
North local government area of the state.
After the gun battle, the police recovered seven hundred and
seventy six thousand naira (N776, 000) from the suspects,
which was part of the N1.4 million ransom paid by the
family of the victim.

Items recovered from the suspects include one AK-47 rifle
with 90 rounds of ammunition, one pump action gun and 10
live cartridges, assorted charms and other weapons.
Parading the suspects yesterday, Anambra State Police
Public Relations Officer, Mr. Uche Ezeh said the leader of
the gang known as Charlie Parker had been on the wanted
list of the Police for four years.
He said following a tip-off, the state SARS commander, Mr.
James Nwafor, a Chief Superintendent of Police, CSP, led
his men to the place at Okpoko, where the loot was being
shared by the suspects.
He said when the suspects sighted the police, they opened
fire and the police had to return fire, leading to the death of
the three suspects.