By Christopher Oji
The Lagos State Police Command has killed an alledged notorious kidnap kingpin, Uzoma Sharpshooter and eight members of his gang in the state.
The gang members described by the police as ‘formidable’, met their waterloo last Thursday night at the Ladipo area of the state.
The gang, which had its base in the South-east, but operated in all parts of Nigeria, including the South-west, had been on the wanted list of the police for a long time.
The gang who targeted high profile personalities, especially businessmen, had in recent times abducted some businessmen in the state.
Their nefarious activities in Lagos forced the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Fayoade Adegoke to direct his tactical squads to end the reign of terror of the gang.
On Thursday, the efforts of the police paid off when the gang stormed the Isolo area with the list of their targets, but ran into the police ambush. While nine of them were shot dead during a gun duel with the police, two of them escaped with bullet injuries.
CP Adegoke, who paraded the deceased bodies of the suspects on Friday, at the command headquarters, Ikeja, said: “ It is our delight to inform Lagosians that the Lagos State Police Command under my stewardship has recorded a major breakthrough on Thursday, July 4, 2024.”
The CP, represented by Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Benjamin Hundyin, said, “the kidnappers, who were caught unawares would not give up easily as they engaged the police officers in a shoot out. They bowed to the superior firepower of the police. Nine of them were neutralised, while two escaped with gunshot injuries.
“Four AK-47 rifles, four locally made semi automatic pistols, nine AK47 magazines, three walkie-talkies, one POS machine, and a loud speaker were recovered from them.
“Also recovered from them are their two operational vehicles: One black Toyota 4Runner and a blue Lexus RX350, while investigations was ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects.”