The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the death of three suspected fleeing kidnappers who were said to be allegedly involved in the attempted abduction of the wife of the member representing Warri South Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Hon. Austin Oruoye, last month at Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Council Area.
The command said the trio died of gunshots injuries sustained during a gun duel with police operatives led by the DPO in-charge of Ebrumede in Uvwie at the suspects hideouts in Agbarho town on 3rd October 2024.
In a statement issued on Sunday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, said its operatives also recovered four AK47 rifles from the deceased suspects.
It would be recalled that suspected kidnappers had ambushed Mrs. Oruoye in attempt to kidnap her and in the process killed two mobile policemen and the driver of the lawmaker’s wife at Okoloba Junction along Jakpa Road in Effurun area of the city.
However, irked by the incident, the state commissioner of police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, ordered his men to go after the fleeing suspects and ensure that they were arrested.
Edafe, said in the statement that “The Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwonda, immediately ordered water-tight deployment around Warri and environs as well as narrowing the roads and blockage of all exit points.
“It didn’t take long as Police operatives of Ebrumede division led by the DPO CSP Iwok Ndifereke strategically deployed and created an artificial hold-up at DSC roundabout and sighted the vehicle as described with a matching registration number.
“On noticing the traffic and sighting the policemen, the hoodlums opened fire on the team which the team equally responded professionally owning to the busy nature of the area. The hoodlums immediately abandoned the vehicle shattered with bullets and escaped with bullet injuries. Three (3) AK-47 rifles and their operational vehicle with registration no. WWR-436-GZ were recovered.
“The CP not satisfied with their escape, directed that the DPO Ebrumede should go all out and ensure the suspects were arrested and brought to book.
“Armed with available information and exhibit found in the abandoned vehicle, on 3rd October 2024, the DPO Ebrumede Division CSP Iwok Ndifereke led operatives to their hideout in Agbarho where the Police engaged the suspects in a fierce gun duel and the Policemen who were prepared for the battle ahead overpowered the hoodlums, three of the suspects sustained serious gunshot injuries while other escaped and another AK-47 rifle was also recovered.
“The suspects were taken to the Hospital where they were confirmed dead. Manhunt for the other fleeing members of the gang is ongoing”
CP Abaniwonda, according to the statement, commended the effort and braveness of the DPO and his men displayed during the operation and urged other officers and men of the command to emulate them.
