Police in Kogi State on Monday killed two suspected kidnappers and arrested one suspect during a gun encounter in Ife Olukotun community , Ijumu Local government area of the state.
The gun duel ensued when kidnappers said to be numbering about six invaded Igbo Ero, a surbub of Ife Olukotun town to kidnap the owner of a large farm identified as Yahaya.
Reports said the armed kidnappers also abducted a man who they later released after robbing him of one big ram.
Spokesman of the state police command, SP William Aya confirmed the killing of the two kidnappers and arrest of one suspect in a statement.
Aya said the Divisional Police Officer in the area promptly responded to distress calls from members of the community by mobilising his men and some local vigilantes to pursue the kidnappers to their camp located inside a thick forest.
“On sighting the joint team, the hoodlums opened fire on them.
“During the gun duel that ensued, two suspected kidnappers were neutralized, the victim was rescued and one AK 49 Rifle with 14 Rounds of live ammunition were recovered.
“Other suspects escaped with bullet wounds. Efforts is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects,” he said.
In his reaction, the state Commissioner of Police, Onuoha Bethrand commended the joint Police and Vigilantes team for their effort.
He reiterated his determination to sustain the ongoing onslaughts against criminal elements and to deny them space to operate in the State.
Onuoha enjoined members of the public to continue to collaborate with the police and security agencies to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the State.(vitalnewsngr.com)
