Port Harcourt – Four suspected Kidnappers to be members of notorious Deygbam and Sailors cult groups in Rivers have been killed in a gun battle with the Police in Port Harcourt.
Two of the killed cultists were identified as ‘‘Lover Boy’’ and “2flexy’’ said to be notorious and two others whose identities are yet to be established.
A yet to be identified operative said to be from Diobu Vigilante was also killed firing the exchange of fire.
The gun duel was said to have started since Sunday, December 4 and lasted till Monday, December 5.
It was gathered that acting on intelligence, security operatives, including Octopus Strike Force Police unit on Sunday began to trail the cultists also suspected to be kidnappers who were also said to be on the wanted list of security agencies.
The security agents were said to have intercepted them in the front of a new generation church along Abacha road,GRA Phase 2, Port Harcourt.
An Eyewitness who simply identified himself as Francis revealed that the hoodlums on sighting the security operatives opened fire on them and the security personnel responded.
Two of the suspects were fatally wounded in the exchange of gunfire.
The gunfight caused heavy traffic gridlock in area as commuters and motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran in different directions for safety.
The security operatives were said to have cordoned off the section of the road where the incident took place.
It was further gathered that the Octopus Strike Force Police unit in a follow up mission on Monday December 5,2022, also went to the hideout of the criminals around Sangana axis of Railway in Mile 1 Diobu, where they reportedly shot dead other two members of the Kidnap gang.
Sources privy to the incident stated that some members of the two rival cult groups (Deygbam and Sailors) had formed an alliance for engaging in armed robbery/ kidnapping as the festive period approaches.
The Rivers State Police Spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko could not be reached to has not commenton the incident.
