The Police in Delta State, yesterday, killed a 32-year-old suspected armed robber, and three of his gang members at about 6:42 a.m. in Warri. The Guardian learnt that the deceased engaged the police in a fierce gun duel, which resulted in their death, while two officers sustained gunshot injuries.
 
Confirming the development, the command’s spokesperson, Bright Edafe, said the suspects were planning to rob one of the banks in Warri, when one of the arrested suspects led police operatives to their hideout in Warri, but on their way, the operatives were ambushed by the hoodlums.
  
Edafe explained that the police responded, and in the ensuing gun duel, the operatives successfully subdued and repelled the attackers, but four suspects in a bid to escape ran into the crossfire and sustained gunshot injuries.
 
“They were taken to the general hospital in Kwale where they were certified dead by the doctor on duty. “A corpse suspected to be one of the attackers was found when the area was later combed by the police,” he said.
  
Edafe described the gang leader, “Momotimi”, as a dreaded kidnapper, who led a syndicate responsible for the bank robbery operation at Wetland microfinance bank in Udu Local Council of the state in 2021.  
 
 “Momotimi and his gang have been on the command’s most wanted list and are suspected to be responsible for several cases of kidnapping, attacks, and killings of police officers, and other security agents within the state, and carting away a lot of rifles.
 
“The suspects were planning a ferocious mission of armed robbery in Warri before their arrest, among them a PoInt of Sale (POS) operator, who also provides the gang information about potential kidnap victims.
   
“The items recovered from the suspects are one ash-colored Toyota Camry car (REG NO. LAGOS LND 508 GM), and three Moniepoint POS machines,” Edafe stated.