Three gunmen suspected to be kidnappers were yesterday killed by a team of security operatives comprising the police, army and vigilance group along the Benin-Auchi Road, Edo State during a gun battle at Okwo community, in Ehor, Uhunmwode Council of the state.

The suspected kidnappers, it was gathered blocked the road yesterday morning, but were forced into the bush by security operatives after a gun battle that lasted for hours.

In a video that has since gone viral, the gunmen had operated in the area on Tuesday but re-appeared on the road yesterday with the aim of kidnapping travellers before they were engaged in a gun battle with security operatives and in the process three of them were gunned down, while the others escaped into the bush with gunshot wounds.

During the gun battle, a stray bullet hit an unidentified SUV driver on the shoulder, while motorists and committers were stranded for several hours.

When contacted, the state police command’s spokesman, SP Kontongs Bello, confirmed the incident. He said: “It’s true, it happened yesterday (Tuesday) at 6:20a.m. in Okwo, Ehor area, but the combined team of the police and the military foiled the attempt such that, nobody was kidnapped. One person, a young man driving Lexus 350 was shot in his shoulder.

“Today (Wednesday), the hoodlums come out again and three of them were gunned down by the combined team of the police, military and vigilance group. Edo must be safe,” he declared.

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