Nine Dead As Police And Kidnappers Exchange Gunfire On Major Highway

Nine suspected kidnappers who operate on Abuja-kaduna expressway have been killed by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force.

The Police said the suspects were killed during a serious exchange of gunfire encounter, between the police operatives and a heavily armed notorious criminal gang at a forest, while two escaped with gunshot wounds.

One operative of the Force also sustained gunshot wound during the operation.

Recovered from the suspects are; six Ak47 rifles, one pump action gun, 1,206 rounds of Ak47 ammunition, seven magazines, 28 cartridges and 158 expended shells.

This is contained in a statement in Abuja on Sunday by the Force Spokesman, DCP Frank Mba.

The statement reads: “The unrelenting efforts to root-out criminal elements terrorizing commuters along Abuja – kaduna expressway recorded additional successes on 10th April, 2019, with the recovery of six Ak47 Rifles, one Pump Action Gun, 1,206 rounds of Ak47 Ammunition, Seven Magazines, 28 cartridges and 158 expended shells by Police operatives attached to Operation Puff Adder deployed to the area.

“The recovery followed a serious exchange of gunfire encounter, between the police operatives and a  heavily armed notorious criminal gang at the Akilbu Forest, off Abuja-Kaduna Expressway, which resulted in the death of nine members of the gang while two escaped with gunshot wounds.

“One of the police operatives, however, sustained gunshot wound and he is presently receiving treatment in a hospital. Effort is being intensified to arrest the fleeing members of the gang.”

While expressing satisfaction with the successes recorded so far in the fight against kidnapping and other heinous crimes across the country, the Inspector General Police, Ag. IGP Mohammed Adamu reiterated his call for support by the public to the Police and other sister agencies, as he assured that the war against armed bandits will soon be won.