How police engaged in gun duel, rescued priest from kidnappers in Edo

The Edo State Police Command has freed Reverend Canon Tony Mukoro from kidnappers following a gun duel with the abductors. 

Allnews.ng gathered that the priest was abducted by gunmen suspected of kidnapping while going home in his automobile in the Isihor village of Ovia North-East Local Government Area of the state.

Chidi Nwabuzor, the command's Public Relations Officer, verified the event to journalists in Benin City.

According to him, the divisional police officer in charge of Ugbowo division in Benin City, Edo State, got information that hoodlums had approached and kidnapped the preacher as he was ready to drive his Toyota Highlander, registration number BEN 822 SR, into his home in the Isihor community.

“Operatives of the division immediately swung into action and intercepted the vehicle. They engaged the hoodlums in a gun duel. The hoodlums fled during the crossfire and the victim was rescued unhurt,” he said.

He stated the suspects were found with an AK-47 rifle, one expended AK-47 shell, two pump-action rifles, 14 live cartridges, one cap, and a bag.

He further stated that attempts are on to apprehend the fleeing criminals and bring them to justice.

Meanwhile, a 22-year-old secondary school dropout named Rukevwe George and a 42-year-old named Ifeanyi Okafor have been taken into custody by the Edo State Police Command on charges of drug trafficking and firearms possession.

Allnews.ng gathered that on Tuesday in Benin City, the suspects were paraded in front of reporters by the State Commissioner of Police, Funsho Adegboye.

Adegboye added that while Ifeanyi was detained by Safer Highways agents during a stop and search operation along the Benin/Lagos Motorway, Rukevwe was apprehended at a place in Benin City.

One automatic rifle manufactured in another country with two barrels and one locally produced gun with one barrel was found on Rukevwe, a student at a Delta State secondary school.

Rukevwe acknowledged, according to the CP, that the host had handed him the two firearms.

“Our operatives have been on the trail of the suspect and the long arms of the law will soon catch up with him. He has yet to give a satisfactory explanation as to what he does in military camouflage.

“But we know that this is the kind of people that will disguise and you think he is a military personnel, and he uses it to commit some unimaginable crimes under whatever guise,” he said.