Police Kill Four Suspects Terrorising  East-West Road Section in Rivers

Blessing Ibunge in Port Harcourt

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have killed a notorious kidnapping gang leader, Wordi Amadi, and three of his members, including a female, who were said to be terrorising the Emohua axis of the East-West Road in Rivers State.

The Emohua Local Government Area Chairman, Dr. Chidi Lloyd, had recently declared the gang leader, Amadi, wanted by placing a N2 million bounty for anyone who could get him alive or dead, following the suspect’s series of atrocities committed in the area.

The suspects, who have been in the police wanted list for many years, have also made the said area unsafe for residents and commuters. They have allegedly masterminded the various reported kidnapping and killings in the Emohua axis of the East-West Road.

Following intelligence, the suspects were traced to their hideout in Ogoloma, Okrika LGA of the state, where they were killed during a gun duel with the police in the early hours of yesterday.

Briefing journalists at the police headquarters in Port Harcourt, the state Commissioner of Police, Nwonyi P. Emeka, explained that the suspects engaged the police operatives in gun battle but were overpowered by the police.

He noted that the deceased suspects were involved in the kidnapping and robbery activities for ransom that happened on the East-West Road and have made the indigenes of Elibrada community in Emohua to desert their homes.

Addressing journalists, Emeka said: “On June 13, 2023, at about 02:30 hours, operatives of the Command, based on intelligence gathered, spotted a notorious kidnapping gang headed by one Wordi Amadi, 25,  from Elibrada Community in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State, and his gang somewhere at Ogoloma in Okirika LGA of Rivers State.

“On sighting the operatives, the hoodlums opened gunfire but were overpowered due to the superior firepower of the police operatives. The gang leader, Wordi Amadi, and three of the gang members, including a female, were fatally wounded.

“Amadi and his gang have been on the wanted list of the police. He has killed policemen, and innocent citizens, and has been terrorising the East-West Road, kidnapping and robbing for ransom and has made the Elibrada indigenes to desert their homes.”

The police boss further disclosed that “They were quickly rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital for treatment. On arrival, the doctor on duty confirmed that they were already dead.”

Some of the exhibits recovered from the suspects included one AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds of 7.62 x 32mm bullets; one assault rifle with 20 rounds of live ammunition; one pump action rifle with four live cartridges and assorted charms.

The CP said an investigation was ongoing to apprehend other members of the gang.

In another development, the state Police Command on June 10, 2023, rescued nine kidnapped victims within communities in Emohua Local Government Area.

Emeka, who disclosed this achievement, said: “On Friday, at about 23:40hours, while on routine patrol, operatives of the Command received information that hoodlums were operating on the East-West Road between Eveku and Oduoha in Emohua LGA of the state.

“On arrival at the scene, operatives combed the forest and, five victims were rescued. They were all traveling from Osun State to Rivers State. Upon frantic efforts both by the police and local vigilante, after a gun battle with the hoodlums at their camp, four more abducted victims that were still in captivity were rescued unhurt, on June 10, at about 10:40hours.”