THE IGP Intelligence Response Team, Police Special Forces, Police Airwing and other detachments of the Force stormed the hideout of the suspected kidnappers who kidnapped Thomas Arnold Pearce and Hendrik Gideon Smith, two South African nationals, January 23, 2018 at Maidoro Village, Kaduna State, to rescue them unhurt in the early hours of Saturday 27.

According to the Police statement signed by Jimoh Moshood, a chief superintendent of Police and public relations officer, the operation was also witnessed mounted pressure simultaneously from the air and on the ground.

He said the operation, which lasted several hours in the Forest in Birnin Gwari area of Kaduna State that led to the release of the South Africans was made possible through coordinated efforts led by Commissioner of Police, Kaduna State. “The IGP Intelligence Response Team, Police Special Forces, Police Airwing (Police Aerial Surveillance Helicopter) and Police personnel from Kaduna State Command overwhelmed the kidnappers and the two victims were released,” the statement said.

Moshood said the two South Africans had been handed over to the South African High Commission in Nigeria in the presence of their company’s representatives.

He said investigation was still ongoing and effort was being intensified by the Joint Police Teams who were still in the Forest to arrest the kidnappers that carried out the crime.

The Police image maker said the Force would “not relent in its renewed effort to rid the country of all forms of crimes and criminality and ensure adequate protection, security and safety of lives and properties of all Nigerians and other nationals throughout the country.”

–Jan. 29, 2018 @ 12:42 GMT