James and the weapons recovered from his gang

The Nigerian Police Force said on Thursday that its men have arrested one James, a member of heavily armed kidnap four man kidnapping gang notorious for terrorizing the waterways and kidnapping in Rivers and Bayelsa states during a gun duel last Tuesday.

Don Awunah, spokesperson for the Nigeria Police, in a statement released on Thursday, said the other members of the gang were “fatally shot” during the confrontation with the Police which took place along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He added that the gang members were on their way to an operation when they were intercepted.

The Police spokesperson said weapons belonging to the gang were also recovered.

The statement reads in part: “Acting on credible intelligence and public support, on the 29th of November, 2016, the IRT intercepted a four-man gang of heavily armed kidnappers, notorious for terrorizing the waterways and kidnapping in Rivers and Bayelsa states, along Azikiwe Road, Port Harcourt, Rivers State on their way for an operation.

“A gun duel ensued, after which three of the kidnappers were fatally wounded while one James Peter ‘m’ aged 30 years from Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State was arrested.

“The arrested member of the gang has since been cooperating with the police in their investigation by providing very valuable information on the membership of the gang and their modus of operation.

“Weapons recovered from the kidnappers include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one AK47 rifle, chains of GPMG ammunition and two fully loaded AK47 magazines.

“Efforts are in top gear to arrest fleeing members of the gang and recover their cache of arms,” Awunah said.