By Iruoma Douglas, Port Harcourt
A Lebanese national, Mr Bilal Nossar, (aka Mr B) has regained his freedom after a vigilante group stormed a forest in Ndashi community in Etche, Rivers State and rescued him.
Global Upfront Newspapers (GUN) gathered that the vigilante who also alerted operatives of the Nigeria Police, achieved this in collaboration with the Okehi Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer of the station.
This was in a sting Operation on Friday night.
It was further gathered that the victim who is a Nollywood actor resident in Imo State, was lured and kidnapped from Owerri and taken to Etche in Rivers State where he was later rescued.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Police Command has confirmed the incident.
Confirming the incident and rescue of the victim, the Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Nnamdi Omoni, disclosed the arrest of one of the kidnappers who was watching guard over the victim while others escaped on noticing the presence of the Police in the forest.
He said: “Operatives of the Okehi Police Station led by the Divisional Police Officer of the station in a sting Operation last (Friday) night stormed a forest in Ndashi, Etche LGA, where they rescued Mr Bilal Nosser, popularly known as Mr B,, a renowned Nollywood actor, who was kidnapped at the early hours of yesterday (Friday) in Imo State and taken to a forest in Ndashi, where he was rescued by the DPO and his Team.
“In the course of his rescue, one of the members of the gang by name Nwagor Faith ‘m’ who was keeping watch over him was arrested while others took to flight. He has made useful confessions and named other members of his criminal gang.
“Consequently, efforts have been intensified to arrest his fleeing members and recover their Operational weapons”.
Meanwhile, the Toyota Venza car belonging to the Victim has been recovered.
According to the PPRO, “The Commissioner of Police, CP Joseph G. Mukan, is appealing to the public, particularly the residents of Etche and Omuma LGAs to increase their security consciousness and promptly report any suspicious movements and characters to the Police.”