The Bayelsa State Command of the Nigeria Police Force says it has commenced operation to rescue the operations manager of a commercial bank, Mrs Nneka Anochie, who was kidnapped by four armed men dressed in military camouflage in Yenagoa.
Speaking during a media briefing at the Police Headquarters, the State Commissioner of Police, Romokere Ibani, said that “on 16th June 2023 at about 7 am, four armed men dressed in military camouflage, operating with a red coloured Lexus Jeep accosted Mrs Nneka Ugonochie, along Tamara Road Otiotio, Yenagoa, while driving to her office.
“Tactical teams were alerted to embark on a rescue operation. The kidnappers abandoned the Lexus Jeep with REG NO. BWR 552 AW along the East-West Road. An investigation is ongoing to rescue the victim and arrest the perpetrators.”
However, sources close to the 42-year-old banker told Tribune Online that the kidnap of the victim who is married and an indigene of Owerri in Imo State is connected to the arrest of the celebrity kidnapper, John Ewa aka John Lyon.
Also, security sources revealed that the victim had been warned several times to relocate from her area of residence which is adjacent to the residence of the arrested celebrity kidnapper, John Lyon and his gang member, Emmanuel Agase.
It was gathered that the men of the Operation Puff Adder and Anti-Kidnapping squad of the State Police Command had provided security for her residence but the arrangement was altered because she complained that she could not afford the cost of logistics.
Police sources further revealed that the abduction may be associated with members of the remaining gang of the celebrity kidnappers, saying “We warned her to relocate for some time because our intelligence report showed that she is being monitored to be abducted.”
READ ALSO FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
and then