Two suspected kidnappers have been killed following a fierce gun battle with operatives of the Delta State Police Command.
The suspects reportedly sustained gunshot wounds during the exchange of fire and later died while receiving treatment at a hospital. Two police officers also suffered gunshot injuries and are currently receiving medical attention.
Spokesperson for the command, SP Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Monday.
According to him, the clash followed an operation launched by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, to curb the rising cases of kidnapping and armed robbery around the Upper-Agbarho axis of Ughelli and its environs.
Edafe said the commissioner had directed the CP Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT), led by ASP Julius Robinson, to conduct an intelligence-driven investigation to apprehend the suspects behind the crimes.
“Acting on credible intelligence, the operatives extended their investigation to Rivers and Imo States, where they arrested two suspects — Abubakar Musa, 28, of Kwara State, residing in Port Harcourt, and Yusuf Sale, 25, of Bauchi State, residing in Owerri,” the statement read in part.
The suspects were said to have led the police to a bush between Upper Agbarho and Oviri-Ogor communities in Ughelli North Local Government Area, where arms were recovered, including one AK-47 rifle with two magazines and 43 rounds of live ammunition, one pump-action gun, and a locally made pistol.
However, while leaving the scene, the operatives were ambushed by other members of the gang attempting to rescue the arrested suspects.
“A fierce gun duel ensued, during which the suspects and some of their gang members sustained gunshot injuries,” Edafe said.
He added that the injured suspects were taken to a hospital, where they later died, while efforts to track down the fleeing gang members are ongoing.