The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested a suspected kidnapper and rescued a victim kidnapped in Abuja.

The command’s police public relations officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, confirmed the development in a statement on Thursday in Kaduna.

Mr Hassan said the arrest of one of the kidnappers followed the strict orders of the state’s police commissioner, Audi Ali, to ensure crimes were curbed.

He said the police recovered the victim’s vehicle and the kidnappers’ firearms.

Mr Hassan explained that on Thursday, operatives attached to the Kawo Divisional Headquarters, Kaduna, received a distress call of a kidnapping incident from Abuja, indicating the culprits and their victim were transiting through Kaduna.

He said, ”The operatives at about 0010 hours blocked a grey Toyota Hilux van with a registration number Abuja RBC90DC, with four passengers, the driver inclusive, suspected to be the vehicle conveying the kidnappers and their victim.”

According to him, on sensing danger and to escape, one of the kidnappers fired at the police officers, and they responded accordingly.

Hassan said, “In the resulting gun duel, the victim, a certain Segun Akinyemi of block 10, flat 2 FCDA Quarters Area 3 Garki, Abuja, was rescued.

”One of the kidnappers, a 28-year-old Chinaza Philip of Life Camp Abuja, was arrested while three others escaped, although they are being trailed.

“Equally, the said vehicle belonging to the victim, two numbers of Retay G17 model pistol, one Beretta pistol, 10 9mm PAK ammunition and five 9mm special ammunition were recovered from the kidnappers.”

Mr Hassan said preliminary inquiries revealed that the victim was abducted at about 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday by the kidnappers just when he was leaving his home.

“The three escapees were Chidibere Nwodibo of Life Camp, Abuja, one Auwal surname unknown and the gang leader whose identity is yet to be ascertained.

“The kidnappers were transporting their victim to Kano before they were intercepted by the Police,” Mr Hassan said.

The spokesman called on the public to avail themselves of security agencies’ hotlines for any distress call requiring a prompt response.

(NAN)