The Ebonyi State Police Command, on Thursday, said it foiled a kidnap attempt in Abakaliki, the state capital, and killed one person suspected to be the leader of the kidnap gang.

A statement by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mrs Loveth Odah, said a victim was rescued unhurt.

Odah recalled that on December 14, 2021, around 4pm, the command received information that one Chukwu Nkechi was kidnapped in her car, a Toyota Corolla 2011 model, on Nsugbe Street, Abakaliki, by some armed men.

“On the strength of the report, the police operatives attached to the anti-kidnapping squad of the command swung into action, trailed the kidnappers to their hideout at New Layout, Nkaliki, in Abakaliki Local Government Area of the state.

“The hoodlums, on sighting the police, opened fire on them and the policemen professionally engaged them in a gun duel.

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“During the encounter, one of the hoodlums, who was later identified by the victim as the gang leader, sustained bullet wounds. His other gang members escaped to the nearby bush, abandoning the victim and the vehicle.

“The victim was rescued unhurt and taken to a hospital for medical check-up,” the police spokeswoman added.

Odah listed items recovered from the scene to include one English Berretta pistol with 9mm live ammunition and the Toyota Corolla.

She said the injured suspect was rushed to the Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, where he was confirmed dead.

The body of the suspect, according to her, was deposited in the hospital’s mortuary for preservation.