Two suspected kidnappers have been killed by police during an exchange of gunfire, just as an abducted couple was rescued unharmed.
The Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, confirmed the report in a statement signed and made available to newsmen.
He said the police officers, from Ovwian/Aladja Divisional Headquarters in Udu Local Government Area, led in the operation by the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Aliyu Shaba, were on confidence building, proactive patrol along DSC/Effurun road when they received a distress call that a man and his wife were kidnapped and their Lexus jeep also taken.
According to him: “The DPO swiftly trailed the escape route of the suspected kidnappers and eventually intercepted the vehicle along the Warri-Sapele road by Aziza junction.
“On sighting the police, the suspects opened fire on the team in a bid to escape, and the police professionally responded, neutralising two of the suspects in the process, while the other suspects abandoned the kidnapped couples in the vehicle and escaped.”
An AK-47 rifle with breach number 16869, 46 rounds of 7.62 live ammunition, a pump-action gun, and 13 live cartridges were recovered from the gang.