Operatives of the Delta State Police Command on Saturday killed a member of a kidnap gang while escaping on noticing a police checkpoint.
The gang ran into a Police patrol team attached to the Ebrumede Police station on stop and search at FUPRE junction on the East-West Road before Agbarho in Delta State.
The deceased kidnapper and members of his gang had earlier on the same abducted their victim using a tricycle to hit his vehicle from behind, and while he was trying to confront them, they brought out a double-barrel gun and forced him into his vehicle.
The spokesperson for the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe in a statement on Sunday afternoon said, “Police patrol team attached to Ebrumede Police station while on stop and search duty flagged down a Lexuz Saloon Car (reg. number withheld) but the occupant on noticing the police, jumped down from the vehicle with a double barrel gun and took to their heels.
“Some of the police operatives gave them a hot chase during which one of them bearing the firearm was neutralised while others escaped.
“On a closer look at the abandoned vehicle, a kidnapped victim was seen blindfolded, he was immediately rescued by the operatives and taken to the police station where he stated that he was kidnapped along Jakpa Road, Warri on the same date at about when the suspected kidnappers using a tricycle hit his vehicle from behind, and in an attempt to confront them, they brought out the double barrel gun and forced him into his vehicle.
“Before he was rescued, he had already paid the sum of seven hundred thousand naira ransom to their account through bank transfer. The victim has been reunited with his family while a manhunt for the other fleeing suspects is ongoing.
“CP Wale Abass while applauding the gallantry of the policemen, urged other officers of the command to follow suit and exhibit courage in line of their respective duties.
“He also urged members of the public to continue to trust, and partner with the police especially in the area of information noting that the Police cannot do it alone without the support of the community.”
