Gunmen on Wednesday abandoned two kidnap victims after policemen on duty gave them a chase on Akwakuma Road in Owerri, Imo State.

There were reports on Wednesday that a notable businessman and his friend had been kidnapped and with his vehicle abandoned on the road.

But the state police command spokesperson, Micheal Abattam, on Thursday said victims had been rescued and reunited with their families.

A statement by the police spokesman read partly, “On October 27 around 12.55pm, following a distress call that the director of Dutch Global Gas Station Limited has been kidnapped with his friend by five armed men, the command’s tactical teams on patrol within the axis were alerted, and they went to the area, giving the hoodlums a hot chase.

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“The kidnapers, on sighting their numbers and the pressure mounted, abandoned their vehicle with the victims and fled into hiding. The victims were rescued unhurt and have since reunited with their families.

“The victim vehicle was recovered at the scene with three expended cartridges. While efforts are on top gear to arrest the fleeing suspects.”