Police rescue abductees tied up in Imo forest

The police command in Imo state on Tuesday rescued three kidnap victims tied up in a forest in Owerri west local government area of the state.

The three unidentified individuals were abducted on Saturday.

According to NAN, the rescue operation started on Tuesday morning in a place called Avu Forest, near Owerri, the state capital.

Seven of the suspected kidnappers were captured in the operation, coordinated by Chris Ezike, the state police commissioner.

Andrew Enwerem, the police spokesman, told NAN that the bandits were overpowered by operatives of the anti-kidnapping unit of the command.

“The operatives came to face-to-face with the abductors in the forest, where they were holding their three victims, tied up on trees,” he said.

“After a hand-to-hand encounter with the kidnappers, the abductees were untied and released unhurt.”

He said the commissioner had directed a mop-up operation in the forest and other hot spots in Owerri.

Enwerem assured residents of Imo of the police commitment to security of lives and property.