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Matthias, who is the paramount ruler in his community, was kidnapped from his palace on May 28, 2016, by a group of five kidnappers, who had stormed his palace wearing military camouflage, shooting sporadically into the air before whisking him away.

The Rivers State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Ahmad Muhammad, while speaking to newsmen of the feat of his men, disclosed that acting on a tip-off, the operatives moved to Umuapu in Ohaji Local Government Area of Imo State, where the kidnappers were holding the monarch hostage.

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Mohammad added that the kidnappers began to shoot on sighting security operatives, adding that three of the hoodlums were gunned down during an exchange of fire, while one AK 47 rifle was among the items recovered from the kidnappers.

“We got information that they (kidnappers) moved to Umuapu in Imo State after kidnapping the paramount ruler. Our men stormed the place on Monday, June 13.

As usual, there was a gun battle and three of the suspected kidnappers were gunned down; one AK 47 rifle, five rounds of 7.62 mm life ammunition were recovered from the hoodlums.

The 75-year-old man was kidnapped on May 28, 2016. He is the paramount ruler of Ubomini in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.”