By Jon Egie
Operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, attached to the Delta State Police Command have shot and killed three suspected kidnappers around Umunede Bush.
Police report says the gang of five kidnappers attacked a bus carrying the Operatives with intent to kidnapp it’s occupants unknown to them that their intended victims were policemen.
A release by the Command’s PPRO, DSP Bright Edafe said, yesterday, June 5, at about 1235hrs, “Operatives of Command’s Rapid Response Squad while on undercover anti-crime patrol along Asaba/Benin Expressway, some armed hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers numbering about five {5} suddenly emerged from the bush around Umunede, and fired gunshots at the space bus in an attempt to rob and possibly kidnap the occupants but unknown to them that the occupants were undercover police operatives.
“The team smartly disembarked from the vehicle and returned fire. The armed hoodlums on realizing that their potential victims were policemen ran into the bush.
“The team went into a fierce gun duel with the hoodlums during which three {3} members of the gang were fatally wounded and one fabricated revolver pistol, six {06} 7.62mm live ammunition, four {04} expended 7.62mm ammunition were recovered from them.
“The injured hoodlums were taken to the hospital but died while receiving treatment.
” Manhunt for the fleeing members of the gang is ongoing.”