The wife of Dr. Ona Ekhomu, a chartered security professional and President of Trans-World Security Company, who was kidnapped around Auchi, Edo State on Friday evening, was rescued in Sapele.
Also, the younger brother of Chief Great Ogboru, governorship candidate of the Democratic Peoples’ Party (DPP), was freed at Effurun, last Friday after he was abducted in nearby Osubi, Okpe LGA.
One of the kidnappers of Ekhomu’s wife, suspected to be a member of the gang led by the notorious Kelvin Oniarah, was arrested in Sapele after a gun battle with troops of the 19 Battalion of the JTF.
Two vehicles, a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility vehicle and a BMW salon car were recovered.
Mrs. Ekhomu, her husband and others were on their way to Irrua, Edo State for a social engagement when the gunmen struck around a notorious spot on the Auchi-Benin road where several persons including famous lawyer, Chief Mike Ozekhoma, have been abducted lately.
Although Mr. Ekhomu escaped with gunshot wounds, his wife was taken away in his vehicle.
However, luck ran out for the criminals when they were accosted by men of the 19 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Sapele local government area of Delta state.
The criminals were overpowered by the troops, forcing them to abandon a Toyota Prado Sports-Utility Vehicle and the victims.
The arrest was made around the popular Eku Junction near Amukpe, raising speculation that the criminals were heading towards Kokori when the troops struck.
After rescuing the victims, the soldiers launched a manhunt at about 3am, culminating in the arrest of one suspect and seizure of an AK-47 rifle.
The BMW car was recovered when members of the gang reportedly made a spirited effort to pick-up their members who ran into the bush.
Confirming the report, the Commanding Officer, 9 Battalion of the Nigerian Army, Koko, Lt. Col FS Etim, said the gang member was arrested when his men engaged the kidnap suspect in a shootout.
He said the criminals abandoned the suspect and the vehicle when his men closed in on them.
A security source close to the investigation that there was “strong evidence that the criminals are members of the Oniarah gang.
“From the preliminary investigation, we are convinced that they are members of the same Kelvin gang and we are sure they were heading to Kokori area, which has become a notorious den of kidnappers when our men struck,” the source added.
In a related development, troops of the 3 Battalion of the Nigerian Army in Effurun foiled an attempt to kidnap the brother of Democratic Peoples Party (DPP) leader in the state.
Ogboru was kidnapped by armed men in Osubi, Okpe local government area of the state and was about being whisked out of the state when troops of the JTF were alerted.
The suspects had already sneaked the victim through a back road from Osubi to the Warri/Benin highway when the troops, acting on a tip-off, swooped on them and freed him on Friday night.
The driver of the getaway cab used in the operation and another accomplice were arrested.
There are being detained at the Effurun Barracks at the time of this report. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
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