Cop killed in attempt to rescue kidnapped Govt House staff

Mohammed Abubakar, Inspector general of Police

ASABA—A staff of Due Process Office, Government House, Asaba, Delta State, was, weekend, kidnapped with his son in the state.

Police authorities gave his name as Mr. Duke Okeze. He was rescued, yesterday, though one of the policemen involved in the rescue mission was killed in the process, while the son of Mr. Okeze, kidnapped along with him received bullet wounds.

Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Charles Muka, in a statement, said: “Mr. Okeze of Due Process Office, Government House, Asaba, was kidnapped by unknown gunmen along with his son. But they were rescued at 6.30a.m., Monday, by a combined team of SARS, STORM in Issele-Uku division at Atuma Iga.

“Three suspects, including a lady, were arrested and his Toyota Corolla car was recovered. In the process of rescue, his son, Emma, sustained minor bullet wounds  from the kidnappers’ guns while a police Corporal was killed. Efforts are on to arrest other fleeing gang members.”

He added that “Three armed robbers, including one dressed in National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, uniform were arrested in Asaba, with a rifle, three battle axes, three cartridges, a laptop and a camera.”

KIDNAPPERS RELEASE UDUAGHAN`S COUSIN

Uduaghan, Delta state governor

SEVENTY-YEAR-OLD Pa Samuel Uduaghan, cousin to the Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, who was abducted by kidnappers from his residence on Direct Labour Agency, DLA, Road, Asaba on June 13, was released last night.

A source, who broke the news  yesterday evening, said, “He was released by his abductors some moments ago”.

There was, however, no detail on whether ransom was paid.  It was gathered that Pa Uduaghan was seen being debriefed by the police at the state command headquarters at about 8.20 pm.

Delta State police spokesman, Mr. Charles Muka, confirmed the story at about 8.45 pm.

According to our source, “The details of his release are still sketchy, I don’t know where he was released exactly but the kidnappers were in touch with those who negotiated his release and they went to pick him from where they dropped him”.

Pa Uduaghan spent three nights in the den of the kidnappers who demanded N50 million ransom for his release.