Police Command in Delta says it shot dead a suspected hijacker and rescued 13 victims in the state.
State command spokesman Bright Edafe, who revealed this in a statement made available to journalists on Sunday night in Warri, also said an AK-17 rifle was recovered from the suspect.
Edafe said the suspect was shot dead on Sunday, April 3, by a combined team of police officers attached to the Ogwashi-Uku Division and a local vigilante.
He explained that the deceased suspect and his gang had intercepted a 14-seater bus in the Aniagbala Community via the Ubulu-Uku expressway in the South Aniocha Local Government Area.
“Today, April 3, 2022, around 08:40 a.m., information arrived at the Command that a gang of reckless kidnappers had intercepted a 14-seater bus with Registration: M831-JFK.
“The bus was intercepted in the Aniagbala community via the Ubulu-Uku expressway in Aniocha Sur, transporting 16 occupants.
“Thirteen of the passengers were kidnapped and taken to the bush,” he said.
Mr. Edafe said that upon receiving the information, Police Commissioner (CP), Delta Command, Ari Ali, ordered the DPO, Ogwashi-Uku Division to take the men into the forest and ensure that the suspects were arrested and victims rescued unharmed.
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“Following directives, the DPO, CSP Mohammed Naallah, quickly led a combined team of police officers and Watchmen into the bush and chased after the thugs.
“During the exchange of fire, one of the suspects who was hit died at the scene while the other members of the gang escaped with gunshot wounds,” he said.
The commando spokesman said the 13 kidnapped victims were rescued alive and unharmed, adding that the brush was still being combed to arrest other fleeing gang members.
(YAYA)