Two suspted members of a five-man syndicate of kidnappers were shot dead on Christmas Eve in Warri , Delta State.
It was gathered that at about 10 pm, operatives of ‘B’ Division Warri patrol team, while on night surveillance patrol duty along Okumagba Estate roundabout in Warri South Local Government Area (LGA), intercepted a tricycle with two male occupants, and subjected them to a search.
According to Delta State Police Publlic Relations Officer (PPRO) DSP Bright Edafe,” during the search, three live cartridges concealed under the seat of the tricycle were recovered.The suspects were taken into custody. Upon interrogation, the suspects confessed to be members of a five-man kidnapping syndicate operating around Warri,and its environs. Acting on their confessions,
Christmas day,the suspects led Police operatives to their hideouts at a house located along Upper Erejuwa Street, where one AK49 rifle with breach no. 11876, one locally made double barrel long gun, two machetes were recovered. On their way back to the Police Station, the two suspects jumped out of the moving Police Hilux vehicle in an attempt to escape, but the Policemen gave them a hot chase. In a bid to demobilize them, they were maimed by the operatives, and rearrested. The suspects gave up the ghost while they were being taken to the hospital”.
He said the police have declared a manhunt for the other members of the gang .
