From Jefferson Ibiwale, Benin
Two kidnappers were killed on Sunday in a gun battle that ensued when policemen in Edo State stormed their hideout along Igbanke-Ewohimi road, in Esan South East local government area of the state.
Displaying the bullet ridden bodies of the killed suspects to journalists in Benin, the state commissioner of Police, Foluso Adebanjo, said operatives of the command had arrested four suspects following the kidnap of an unnamed woman and were led by the men to one of their hideouts in the city.
However, as they approached the building, the gang members inside the building who already suspected danger opened fire which was returned by the policemen, leading to the death of two of the suspects in the building.
The other four suspects, Adebanjo said, tried to take advantage of the situation to escape but were stopped in their tracks with fatal bullet wounds from the gunfire exchange.
“On getting to one of their hideouts, immediately our operatives disembarked with the suspects from the van, the kidnappers opened fire on our men. The police engaged the gang in a gun battle and two of the kidnappers were shot dead. Simultaneously, the other four suspects who took to their heels were fatally injured in the cross exchange of fire,” Adebanjo said.
The commissioner said one pump action gun with four rounds of live cartridges were recovered from the assailants, in addition to huge sum of foreign currencies.
Other items recovered from the kidnappers den include a “C-Class” Mercedes Benz car with registration Number AGL 133 CX, $8,200; 20,000 Francs CFA; United Arab Emirate currency, N8,500, 12 sim cards, four cut to size single barrel guns, 72 live cartridges and one locally made revolver pistol.
The two killed suspects were confirmed dead at the Stella Obasanjo Hospital where they were rushed to for treatment.
Adebanjo said his men are still combing the bushes for those who escaped with bullet wounds during the battle.