Delta Police Kill Four Suspected Kidnappers, Recover Weapons In Gunfight

Delta State Police Command operatives have killed four suspected kidnappers during a gun duel along Jesse – Igueleba road.

In a statement released on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, DSP Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for the command, stated that the police operatives not only neutralized the suspected kidnappers but also seized a cache of weapons, including one AK-47 rifle with 25 rounds of live ammunition, two locally-made cut-to-size guns, and a number of cartridges.

“Due to the reported incidences of kidnappings along Jesse axis of the State, on 12th September 2023, the State Commissioner of Police, CP. Wale Abass PSC, directed the deployment of operatives of the Special Anti-Kidnapping and Cyber Crime Squad {SAKCCS} and DOPS Bufallo team among others to the area.

“On 18th September 2023, during a joint patrol along Jesse – Igueleba in Edo State, the team encountered a gang of armed bandits who laid wait in the bush to attack and kidnap unsuspecting motorists.

“The hoodlums who apparently sighted the police team, fired at the front tyre of the lead pickup van, thus demobilizing the vehicle. They were swiftly engaged in a gun duel by members of the police team.

“The armed men eventually succumbed to the superior firepower of the policemen who pursued them into the deep forest during which four {04} suspected kidnappers were fatally wounded.

“One AK47 rifle with twenty-five {25} rounds of live ammunition were recovered. The wounded suspects were taken to the hospital for treatment where they were later certified dead.”

Commending the courage and dedication of the officers, Commissioner of Police CP Wale Abass urged them to continue their efforts and maintain the same level of determination in combatting kidnapping and addressing other criminal activities.

He also appealed to members of the public to provide the command with credible information that would help the police in this fight.