PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Jul 22, CMC – Police say they have rescued the 44-year-old wife of a business man and killed one of her abductors during an operation in Balandra, a northeastern coastal village on Monday night.
Police Commissioner, Allister Guevarro, said that Jankie Satie Karim while “visibly shaken,” had been taken to hospital for medical examination and was “otherwise okay.”
The police said that one of her abductors, who was not identified, was killed during the rescue operation.
Guevarro told reporters that based on information and intelligence received, officers, including members of the Multi-Optional Police Section, the Special Investigations Unit and the Anti-Kidnapping Unit (AKU), were able to locate the victim, who was abducted on July 13.
“An intelligence-led operation went into play and as the officers would have approached the house, the male suspect would have held Mrs Karim hostage, armed with a firearm … and sadly, police officers had to use the Use of Force Policy and he was wounded and taken to hospital, where he succumbed subsequently,” Guevarro told reporters.
“The victim, Ms Karim, was also taken to hospital where she was medically examined and she is now reunited with her family,” he said, adding that a female suspect was also taken into custody.
“I would like to urge the members of the public to continue to partner with the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service and share information that is of use to us,” he said, confirming that Karim’s abduction was linked to last Friday’s declaration of a state of emergency (SoE), which he said was aimed at dismantling a crime syndicate.
“These are the criminal gangs that have amalgamated themselves into this syndicate and were using crimes such as robberies, extortion and, in this case, kidnapping for the purpose of getting money so that they could fuel their rampant attack on the good citizens of this country.
“This is a scenario that could have played out totally different had they (criminals) or had he (the deceased suspect) decided to give himself up, as I begged the members of the criminal networks, when confronted by my officers, please surrender and do not engage my officers, they are highly trained,” Guevarro warned extending condolences to the family of the deceased.
Karim was abducted while travelling in a vehicle with her husband and son by three masked gunmen, less than a minute away from her home.
Police confirmed the kidnappers had demanded an exorbitant ransom but said none was paid.
The kidnappers also showed proof of life to relatives during their negotiations.
CMC/gh/ir/2025