By; RAYMOND TEDUNJAYE, Lagos
Police operatives in Delta State have depleted the ranks of kidnappers in the state with the killing of a suspected kidnapper during a gun duel.
This happened as the victim of the kidnap was rescued unhurt by the operatives, who also recovered one pump action gun with six rounds of cartridges and car of the victim.
Our correspondent reliably gathered that the deceased met his waterloo in a shoot out when he led police operatives attached to Agbarho Division, to their hideout at Ugborikoko in Warri South LGA.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Bright Edafe who confirmed the report, said the suspect was hit during the heavy shoot out that ensued while others escaped.
He disclosed that the suspect sustained serious gunshot injuries during the duel and was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
His words, ” On 28/12/2022 at about 2215hrs, acting on a tip-off that a victim (name withheld) was kidnapped at Ugborikoko, and the kidnappers were heading toward Agbarho with the victim’s car.
” The DPO Agbarho Division deployed operatives to the Warri-Ughelli express-way to carry out intensive stop and search with a view to rescuing the victim and arrest of the suspects.
” While the Police were carrying out this task painstakingly, they intercepted a Mercedez GLK SUV (registration number withheld) that matches the description of the victim’s vehicle.
” The suspect Oghenetega Ovwa ‘m’ aged 25yrs of Ugborikoko, who was driving the vehicle, was arrested and upon searching the vehicle, one pump action gun with six (6) rounds of cartridges were recovered.
” During the course of the investigation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the kidnapping gang that earlier kidnapped the owner of the GLK. He led the team to their hideout at Ugborikoko in Warri South LGA. On arrival at the hideout, his gang members engaged the Police in a gun duel, the suspect was hit during the heavy gun duel, while other members of the gang escaped.
” The victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family. The suspect, who sustained serious gunshot injuries during the gun duel, was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.
“Manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is ongoing”.
