Operatives from the Delta Police Command have rescued five worshippers of Elyon Paradise Ministry, Ogwashi-Uku, who were abducted by gunmen during vigil last Friday.
The church was reportedly invaded by gunmen while members were having a vigil, according to news reports.
The attackers reportedly succeeded in abducting five members.
The pastor of the church, identified as Divine Omodia, was, on Saturday, hospitalised following gunshot wounds during the bloody encounter.
The church is located at Asagba-Ogwashi, adjacent to the Delta State Polytechnic, Ogwashi-Uku.
Following the unfortunate kidnap incident, the Commissioner of Police Delta State, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, deployed tactical teams in Ogwashi-Uku, which included relocating operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and cyber-crime squad to Ogwashi-Uku with a clear mandate to ensure that the kidnapped victims were rescued unhurt.
Consequently, the squad led by the Commander, CSP Labe Joseph embarked on a sting operation alongside members of Ubuluku community vigilantes, and other concerned indigenes of Ubuluku community.
A statement signed by Delta State Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), SP Bright Edafe said that the operatives stormed Ubuluku forest where the victims were being held hostage, adding that the kidnappers on sighting the police engaged them in a fierce gun duel but unable to withstand the superior firepower of the police, the kidnappers took to their heels and abandoned the victims.
“All five of the Kidnapped members of Elyon Paradise Ministry were rescued unhurt and have since reunited with their families.
Exhibits recovered from the scene included 13 rounds of expended cartridges, a bag containing the sum of One million, three hundred thousand naira (N1,300,000) suspected to be ransom money.
“Manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing.
“The Commissioner of Police CP Olufemi Abaniwonda commends the gallantry of the operatives and the resilience of good-spirited members of Ubuluku community vigilantes and indigenes which includes some human rights activists who took it upon themselves to follow the police into the bush during the rescue operation,” the statement read.
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