From Joseph Obukata, Warri
The Delta State Police Command on Friday announced the killing of a 25-year-old suspected kidnapper identified as one Oghenetega Ovwa of Ugborikoko.
The suspect was reportedly hit by a bullet during a gun duel with members of his gang and police operatives from Agbarho Police Division, near Warri, Delta State.
Police Public Relation Officer, DSP Bright Edafe who confirmed this in a statement on Friday, said the police, acting on a tip-off that a victim (name withheld) was kidnapped at Ugborikoko had trailed the kidnappers who were heading toward Agbarho with the victim’s car. He said that the DPO Agbarho Division, following the incident which happened on Thursday December 28, deployed operatives to the Warri-Ughelli Expressway to carry out intensive stop and search with a view to rescuing the victim and arrest of the suspects.
Edafe said that while the stop and search exercise was on, they intercepted a Mercedez GLK SUV (registration number withheld) that matched the description of the victim’s vehicle. Consequently, the suspect who was driving the vehicle, was arrested. He added that 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,” he said.
He said that the victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family.
DSP Edafe said that 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 was ongoing, the police spokesman added.