Following the successful rescue of Four kidnap victims by the Nigerian Police Force, Abia State Command, the Governor, Dr Alex Otti has
ordered the immediate demolition of the bungalow in Osokwa, Osisioma Local Government Area, where the kidnappers held their victims.
Speaking during a National Press Conference, at Government House Umuahia, Governor Otti also directed the immediate prosecution of the landlord of the bungalow where the kidnappers housed their victims.
The rescued kidnap victims
“I had instructed earlier today that the bungalow in Osokwa, Osisioma LGA where the Kidnappers operated from and kept the kidnap victims should be brought down completely.
“We will locate the owner of the house and he will be prosecuted.
“Anywhere that people yield their houses to criminals that means those landlords are also criminals themselves.
“We are going to be very intolerant going forward“, he warned.
Governor Otti who questioned how such criminal activity could go unnoticed, further directed the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs to interface with the Traditional Ruler of the area.
“It shows something is wrong.If people, four able bodied men, are brought in to a place and kept for several days, somebody must known and failed to act”, he stated.
Police Tactical Squad
The Governor expressed gratitude to the Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, and his team for their professionalism and bravery in ensuring the safe return of the victims and reiterated his administration’s commitment to eradicating criminal activities in the State.
“There have been a lot of security operations, but this particular incident gave us serious concern. I want to congratulate the CP and his men for doing the needful and getting our citizens back in one piece“, Governor Otti said.
He noted that the rescue mission involved an exchange of gunfire with the kidnappers, leading to the neutralization of six suspects and thanked God that none of the victims was wounded.
Governor Otti with CP Danladi Isah
Governor Otti while emphasizing that the use of technology was deployed to restore law and order, revealed that plans were in place to establish a Command and Control Center in the State capital, which would further strengthen intelligence gathering and crime prevention.
He assured residents that his Government would continue to support law enforcement agencies to ensure Abia remains a safe place to live and do business and urged them to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities to Security Agencies.
“I will like to thank the Police for doing a fantastic job here in Abia. I want to assure of 100 per cent support of this government“, Gov Otti stated.
Earlier while presenting the rescued victims and the tactical team members of the Nigeria Police to the Governor, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Danladi Isa, explained how the Police successfully rescued the four kidnapped victims and neutralized six suspected kidnappers following a swift tactical intervention.
According to Isa, the four victims were kidnapped on March 9, 2025, along New Umuahia Road in Obingwa LGA by unknown gunmen, who intercepted their vehicle and took them to an undisclosed location.
He said that the Command, acting on intelligence, utilized advanced tracking technology provided through the State Government support to launch a manhunt for the criminals.
“The tactical teams swung into action with the use of the technology we have and which is also what you (Governor Otti) have assisted us with and in so doing we have been on their trail and by the grace of God we were able to track them in Osisioma area.
“My tactical teams were seriously under a very heavy gunfire. In the exchange of fire that ensued, six of the kidnappers were neutralised, some escaped with bullet injuries.
“Two AK-47 riffles were recovered, six magazines were also recovered. 32 rounds of ammunition were also recovered
“We have made series of achievements in recent times but for this one, we deemed it necessary for His Excellency to at least know that your officers are not resting on their oars”, CP Isah stated.
He assured the public of the Command’s unwavering commitment to tackling criminal activities in the State and called on all residents to support the Police Force with timely information.
In an interview, one of the kidnapped victims who narrated their ordeal in the hands of the kidnappers, said they have been at the kidnappers’ den from Sunday, the 9th February till Friday the 16th February and thanked the men of the Nigeria Police Force for coming to their rescue.
