The Edo State Police Command on Thursday said two suspected kidnappers died while engaging its operatives in a gun duel in Ogwuweka Forest, off the Benin-Auchi Expressway.
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The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Jennifer Iwegbu, in a statement, said arms were also recovered during the operation.
The statement read, “The Edo State Police Command in its operational mandate of curbing the menace of violent crimes and other related vices on July 28, 2022, around 01:50am, through its Divisional Police Headquarters at Egba in the Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of Edo State, arrested two suspected kidnappers.
“Following credible information during the police routine night patrol, the Divisional Police Officer led police operatives to a kidnappers’ hideout at Ogwuweka Forest off the Benin-Auchi Expressway.
“In the operation, two suspects, who identified themselves as Mohammed Umar, alias Smallie Bokolo, 23, and Bashir Saidu, 30, were arrested. They also led police operatives to their operational camp, deep in the forest, in the same community.
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“Items recovered from the suspects were one AK-49 rifle with 34 rounds of 9.9mm ammunition, two single-barrelled guns with five live cartridges, and a car with number plate, EDO UBJ490AA, from another location within the Benin metropolis.
“The suspects volunteered to lead operatives to another hideout and operational camp at Powerline by Urokhosa community, off Benin-Auchi Road, around 04.30am of the same date, but were met by aggressive gunfire from the gang members at the camp, which led to a gun duel with the police operatives. The suspects were fatally injured and were later confirmed dead.
“Meanwhile, intense bush combing of the area is ongoing for possible neutralisation or arrest of other fleeing gang members, while the Commissioner of Police, Abutu Yaro, urged the people not to relent in giving prompt and viable information to the police.”
(C)ControlTV2022.
