At least, two suspected kidnappers namely Bashir and Mohammed have allegedly been shot dead in Edo State by men of the state police command.
According to sources close to TrendyNews, Mohammed Umar, 23 and his alleged accomplice Bashir Saidu, 30, were killed last night, 27 July 2022, in a forest around Urokuosa in Uhunmwonde, a local government area in Edo State.
Mohammed, popularly known as Smally Bokolo and Bashir, were first arrested on suspicion of robbery and kidnapping.
It was gathered that, the duo belonged to a 6-man gang abducting innocent travellers along Benin-Auchi road.
The gang snatched cars, which they sometimes use to barricade highways to slow down their victims before attacks.
It was further learnt that, after the duo were arrested by the police, they confessed to the crime and led the police to their armoury in Ogueka community in Uhumwonde local government.
Following this, the police recovered one Ak49 rifle, 34 live ammunition, two single barrel guns and 5 live cartridges from the pit.
In an attempt to ambush the armed policemen and escape, the suspects allegedly volunteered to take the police to another hideout in Urokuosa, unknown to the police that they were being led right into their criminal hideouts.
The police said the hoodlums opened fire at them upon approaching their hideout, and the two suspects who led the team were shot and killed at the scene.
As at the time of filing this story, it could not be ascertained if any other members of the gang were arrested or shot during the ambush. However, officers on trail of the fleeing criminals.
Edo State Police Public Relations Office, SP Chidi Nwabuzor assured the public that, the police would continue to neutralise kidnappers operating in Edo State.
