It also said that the command killed a criminal suspect in a gun duel in another operation and recovered a locally made gun with six rounds of live cartridges.
The Delta State Police Command says it foiled a kidnap attempt and rescued the victim unhurt on Saturday.
It also said that the command killed a criminal suspect in a gun duel in another operation and recovered a locally made gun with six rounds of live cartridges.
The command disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday through its spokesperson, DSP. Bright Edafe, titled "Delta State Police Command Foils Kidnapping Operation, Rescues a kidnapped victim, recovers one locally made gun and a suspected stolen vehicle: Death of a suspected armed robber/recovery of one locally made cut-to-size gun and six rounds of live cartridges".
According to the statement, the two operations were carried out on Friday and Saturday, August 5 and 6 respectively at Okirigwe Sapele Road/Chevron Clinic Road in Warri.
The statement reads, "On Saturday, August 6, 2022, at about 2300, Police operatives attached to State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) while on a Special duty alongside Sapele Divisional patrol team, flagged down a Toyota Camry with reg. No. AFM 47 AP with three occupants.
"They refused to stop for a search, instead, they drove against traffic in a bid to escape along Okirigwe Road, Sapele but were given a tireless chase by the Policemen until they got to a dead end.
"They jumped down from the vehicle and escaped into a crowded place. The Policemen professionally did not open fire as the reason why they were running has not been established and did not want to hurt innocent persons in the process.
"When the team got to the abandoned vehicle, they saw a victim (name withheld) tied inside the car who was kidnapped by the suspects. He was rescued unhurt and has since been reunited with his family.
"Exhibits recovered include, one locally made short gun, one cutlass and their operational vehicle which is suspected to have been stolen. Effort to arrest the fleeing suspects is ongoing."
In another incident, the PPRO said "on Friday, August 5, 2022, at about 1715hrs, Anti-crime patrol attached to ‘A’ Division Warri were on Stop and search duty at Iyara Road when they intercepted a tricycle with three male occupants.
"The suspects surprisingly reversed the tricycle and sped off, the team upon suspicion went after them till they got to Chevron Clinic Road in Warri. The hoodlums opened fire on the Policemen and the team equally responded.
"In the process, one of the Suspects was maimed while others escaped. The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.
"One locally made cut-to-size gun with six live cartridges and two expended cartridges were recovered. Serious manhunt for the other members of the gang is ongoing."
The Command's spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police has commended the people of Delta for their efforts in the fight against crime and criminality and urged them to be patient, especially when they encounter policemen on the road performing stop and search duty.
Edafe quoted the commissioner to have said that 'Stop and search' is one of the proactive ways in combating crime and nipping it in the bud.
"The CP assures all residents in the state that the Command remains committed to carrying out its core mandate which is the protection of life and property," he added.