The Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Service (NHFSS) say its operatives in Anambra State Command have successfully rescued two siblings who were kidnapped by gunmen in the state.
The Deputy Commander-General (Technical Operations), NHFSS, Dr. John Metchie, made this known while addressing newsmen on the operations of the hunters, on Sunday in Abuja.
Metchie said the two siblings, Chijioke Igwe and Uchenna Igwe, were returning from a wedding on August 16, when they were kidnapped by gunmen at Nkwelle-Ezunaka, Oyi Local Government Area of the state.
According to the DCG, the victims revealed that they were double-crossed by some armed men who opened fire, shooting sporadically into the air and then, bundled them out of their car and whisked them into the forest.
He said it was the rapid response of operatives of the NHFSS from Umueri in the Anambra-East council area that saved their lives following a distress call from a concerned citizen.
Metchie further added that the hunters had been working with the Nigerian Army, the police and the Department of State Service, to tackle the menace of kidnapping in the forests across the country.
The Chief Security Officer of Umueri community and member of the NHFSS, Chief Joseph Obaelue, said they got a distress call about 9 p.m on August 16 and immediately swooped into the forest to rescue the victims.
He said that the abductors absconded into the thick forest leaving the victims behind and having compelled one of them to transfer the sum of N1.3 million into their account prior to their arrival at the scene.
“The two brothers were rescued alongside a Lexus Jeep 330 and a Toyota Highlander SUV that were recovered too.
“Earlier same day, we trailed and tracked down two criminal syndicate who specialize in calling people with strange numbers and threatening them to part with certain amount of money, if they still want to stay alive.
“The two suspects who operate with different SIM cards, threaten people that they were contracted to kill them but if they cooperate by paying the money they requested, they won’t kill them,” he said.
Chief Obaelue said the hunters had been working with the Nigerian Army, the police and the Department of State Service (DSS), to tackle the menace of kidnapping in the forests across the country.
Obaelue congratulated his men l their gallantry in the rescue operation.
He also acknowledged the collaboration of the military, police, Civil Defence, DSS, Vigilante service and others in the fight against kidnapping, banditry, armed herdsmen and other criminal elements in the forest.
The Chief thanked the Deputy Commander-General of NHFSS, Metchie, for the technical and logistic assistance to the command in actualizing their operations.
Obaelue also thanked the Commander-General of NHFSS, Dr. Joshua Osatimehin, for ensuring discipline, cohesion and unity of purpose in the service.
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