The police in Abia state, South-east Nigeria, Tuesday, said they have killed five suspected kidnappers during a heavy gun battle in the state.
The police spokesperson , Mauren Chinaka, stated this in a statement.
Ms Chinaka, a deputy superintendent of police, said a joint tactical team of the police killed the kidnappers when they raided a criminal hideout in Umuiku Obete, a community in Ukwa West local government area of the state.
The spokesperson said the operation, which was conducted on 30 July, followed receipt of a tip-off that the kidnappers were terrorising residents of the area.
“Upon sighting the operatives, the notorious gang engaged the police in a gun battle.
“Unable to withstand the superior firepower of the police, five members of the gang were neutralised during the encounter. “Investigation is ongoing to track and apprehend other fleeing suspects of the gang,” she said.
Six AK-47 rifles, 335 rounds of live ammunition,14 magazines, five handsets, three cutlasses, five operational jackets, one axe, one boot, and materials suspected to be charms were recovered from the suspects.
Ms Chinaka said, in another operation on Saturday, operatives from the Arochukwu Divisional Police Headquarters recovered a double-barreled long gun at Amuvi village, Arochukwu.
“Investigation into the circumstances surrounding the recovery is ongoing,” she stated. (Premium Times)