Security operatives have rescued a kidnap victim during a deadly shootout with kidnappers in Anambra State, Nigeria’s South-east.

The police spokesperson in the state, Tochukwu Ikenga, said in a statement on Sunday that the security operatives killed one of the kidnappers during the shootout.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the operatives were from Forward Operating Base Aguata and that the operation was led by the police in the state.

Mr Ikenga said the joint security team was conducting a night visibility patrol late on Saturday when they encountered a group of armed hoodlums Amaokpala in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

The police spokesperson said the hoodlums opened fire on the security team upon sighting them.

“The operatives tactically returned fire, leading to a gun duel that lasted approximately 40 minutes. One suspect was fatally wounded and later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital where the body was deposited in the morgue for preservation,” he said.

He said the joint security team “successfully rescued” a 26-year-old female kidnap victim during the operation.

“Meanwhile, the rescued victim has since been debriefed and provided with necessary medical attention, ahead of a safe reunion with her family.”

One pump-action gun, 11 live cartridges, an ash-coloured Toyota Camry Sedan, a police belt, a carton of Chelsea sachet alcoholic drink, and one Zenith Bank ATM card were among items recovered from the suspects, according to the police.

Others were an axe, a small Tecno mobile phone, a packet of cigarettes, assorted charms and a cash sum of N2,700.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, has commended the security operatives for their efforts in the operation, Mr Ikenga said.

Mr Orutugu reaffirmed the Command’s “unwavering commitment” to stamp out criminals in Anambra State.

Like other states in the South-east, cases of kidnapping for ransom in Anambra State have increased in recent times.

Civil servants, business owners, politicians and even students have become targets of such attacks in the state lately.

Meanwhile, kidnapping has been prohibited in Nigeria since May 2022.

The country’s authorities enacted the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (2022) which outlawed all forms of kidnapping.

The Act prescribes death sentence for kidnapping in a case where the abduction leads to loss of life and life imprisonment where there is no loss of life.

It was an amendment to the now defunct Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act (2013) which had prescribed a 10-years jail term for kidnapping.

The new Act also prescribes at least a 15-year jail term for whoever pays ransom to free kidnap victims.

Several persons have been convicted for kidnapping across Nigeria.

For instance an Ikeja Special Offences Court, in September 2022, sentenced kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, alias Evans, to 21 years imprisonment for kidnapping.