One nabbed as woman escapes abduction in Delta

Wife of Dr Cyril Abere,  the Medical Director of Ughelli Central Hospital, Mrs Abere, on Wednesday, narrowly escaped being kidnapped by assailants.

Her escape came on the heels of a team of local vigilance group operating at Idiagbon street in Ughelli, Delta State, who foiled the attempt.

However, luck ran out of one of the two suspects as operatives of the vigilance group swooped on him.

Metro gathered that Mrs Abere was rescued at a private hospital belonging to her husband.

The kidnappers were said to have stormed the hospital, bundled the woman into her Kia Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) and were making away with her when they were accosted by the local security team.

A member of the vigilance group identified the victim as 21-year-old Innocent Egbogboh.

He said the arrest was made possible through the assistance of a commercial motorcycle operator, who was hired by the suspect and his accomplice to transport them to the hospital.

“Having overheard their conversation, the okada rider immediately alerted the vigilante in the area of the suspected illicit plots of the duo.

“We swung into action by sealing up the entire area, including the hospital.

“On sighting us, while driving away with the victim, they tried escaping.

“Fortunately for us, we were able to apprehend one of them, while his accomplice escaped and immediately handed him over to a patrol team from the 222 Battalion who were on patrol in the area,” the source said.

A senior police officer at the Ughelli ‘A’ Division, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident.

He said: “The suspect is presently in our custody undergoing investigation, after which he would be charged to court as required.”

Items recovered from the suspect included two cut-to-size single barrel guns and two live cartridges.