A suspected kidnapper was killed in a shootout with the police in the Ughelli North Local Government area of Delta State on Thursday.
The suspect was part of a gang that opened fire on a team of police operatives deployed by the Commissioner of Police, Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda.
The police responded, and in the ensuing gun duel, the suspect sustained serious gunshot injuries and later died in the hospital while receiving treatment.
Edafe said that the incident occurred on Thursday near the Adjekota-Ogor communities of Ughelli North.
He said that the team of police operatives deployed by the Commissioner of Police (CP), Mr Olufemi Abaniwonda, intercepted and engaged the hoodlums resulting in the death of one of the gang members.
Edafe said that the team led by ASP Julius Robinson, acting on credible intelligence, stormed a criminal hideout on the Ughelli/Patani Road by an abandoned filling station.
“The hoodlums on sighting the police opened fire on the team, and the police responded.
“In the ensuing gun duel, one of the hoodlums sustained serious gunshot injuries while others escaped.
“The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment,” he said.
Edafe said that two Beretta pistols and five rounds of live ammunition were recovered from the gang members.
The command’s spokesman said that a manhunt was already underway for the fleeing members of the gang.
Edafe also said that the police special team arrested four robbery/kidnap suspects in Sapele Town on Wednesday.
He said that ASP Robinson led the police team to the suspect’s hideout in Sapele and effected the arrest.
According to him, one locally made cut-to-size gun was recovered from the suspects.
Edafe said that preliminary investigation revealed that aside from the hoodlums’ involvement in cult-related activities, they were also suspected to be armed robbers
The police spokesman said that an investigation into the case was ongoing.
