Police kill three suspected kidnappers in Delta

Operatives of the Delta State Police Command on Sunday busted the hideout of suspected kidnappers in Agbarho town, Ughelli, and killed three of them in the process.

The dead kidnappers had reportedly killed two police officers and a driver, Mr. David Imela, when they attempted to kidnap the wife of one of the members of the Delta State House of Assembly on September 2, 2024, at Okoloba Junction, Jakpa Road, Uvwie council of the state.

The police spokesperson, Bright Edafe, confirmed the development to The Guardian in Asaba on Sunday.

Edafe said the Commissioner of Police, Olufemi Abaniwonda, was peeved about the development and immediately ordered a watertight deployment of police personnel around Warri and its environs, as well as narrowing the roads and blocking all exit points.

Following the CP’s order, police operatives of the Ebrumede division, led by the DPO, CSP Iwok Ndifereke, strategically created an artificial hold-up at the DSC roundabout and sighted the vehicle as described, with a matching registration number.

Edafe said: “When the suspected kidnappers noticed the traffic and sighted the policemen, the hoodlums opened fire on the team, which the team equally responded to professionally, owing to the busy nature of the area.”

He said the police engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel, and the policemen overpowered the hoodlums, with three of the suspects sustaining serious gunshot injuries while others escaped.

According to Edafe, the hoodlums immediately abandoned the vehicle, shattered with bullets, and escaped with bullet injuries, while three AK-47 rifles and their operational vehicle with registration no. WWR-436-GZ were recovered.

The police image-maker added that the CP, not satisfied with their escape, directed that the DPO Ebrumede should go all out and ensure the suspects were arrested and brought to book, while the injured suspects were taken to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead.

Meanwhile, Abaniwonda commended the effort and bravery of the DPO and his men displayed during the operation and urged other officers and men of the command to emulate them.