Saturday, November 3, 2012

Police kill 14 kidnappers in bold rescue of Turkish national


Security agents in Rivers State yesterday killed 14 suspected kidnappers in a gun battle when men of the Rivers State Police Command and operatives of the Anti Kidnapping Brigade stormed the camp of a notorious gang. It was a daring operation to rescue Mr. Biram Karakus, a Turkish construction worker abducted about three weeks ago along the Andoni Unity Road, in Rivers state.
Among those felled by Police bullets were a notorious kidnapper identified as Bishop Nelly, who was the leader of the notorious gang. The late Nelly was an ex-militant who participated in the federal government amnesty programme, but thereafter went rogue, masterminding armed robberies, kidnappings and paid assassinations. In 2011, Bishop Nelly and his gang specialised in targeting Policemen and actually succeeded in killing six officers, including an Inspector and a Constable at Eliozu Flyover in Port Harcourt and snatching their rifles.
Another Corporal, who was also involved in the attack by late Nelly and his gang, luckily survived but sustained serious injuries. Around June 2011, Bishop Nelly escaped arrest when the Rivers police command smashed his gang. He subsequently went underground. In that operation, the Police recovered seven AK-47 rifles, including those stolen from the felled officers, one Brownie pistol, over 500 live ammunitions, 55 magazines, a mask and an array of charms.
Also recovered were two Sports Utility Vehicles (SUV); a Range Rover and a Toyota Infinity, as well as master keys, which are said to be capable of opening any Toyota vehicle. Apparently Nelly resurfaced again and formed another gang, which according to Police sources, has also been responsible for kidnappings, armed robberies, killing of Policemen and civilians in the recent past in Kaani, an Ogoni area.
Commenting on the rescue of the Turkish National, which led to the killing of the kidnappers, Mr. Ben Ugwuegbulam, Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Police Command, who confirmed the incident to National Mirror, said the security operatives arrived the camp in the early hours of Friday about 2.50 am, but were greeted with gunfire as members of the gang attempted to shoot their way to escape.
“On arrival at the camp, the hoodlums opened fire on the team to enable them escape. However, the operatives returned fire and in the ensuing gun battle, six of the hoodlums were fatally wounded. The gang leader, who was later identified as Bishop Nelly and 10 others, including two ladies, sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to the hospital. According to the Police spokesperson, “Seven of the wounded hoodlums, including the gang leader, died on the way to the hospital.”
The Police spokesman also said items recovered from the kidnappers include six AK 47 riffles, 44 rounds of live ammunition, 17magazines, assorted charms, two bags used to deliver the ransom money and the sum of N98, 900 believed to be part of the ransom of N20m paid to them for the release of the Turkish national. He assured that the Police investigation is still progressing.

National Mirror

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