Three suspected kidnappers met their Waterloo on Tuesday, December 31, as they were killed in a shootout with operatives in Benue State Police Command during the rescue of the President-General of Kunav United Development Association (KUDA), Benue, Deacon Tor Yaji.
Yaji, of Tsar Mbaduku in Vandeikya Local Government Area, was abducted at night on Monday, December 30, from where he sat relaxing with friends.
One suspect was arrested by the operatives, Thenewsbearer learnt.
Recovered from the suspects were two AK-47 rifles, 12 rounds of live ammunition and three AK-47 magazines.
The command’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the rescue, disclosed the death of three of the suspects and the arrest of one other.
While one of them died as a result of gunshot wounds he sustained in a gun duel with the police, two others who shot their way out of Nambe village were engaged by the police in a shootout during which they were fatally injured and confirmed dead at the hospital.
The statement by the PPRO read: “Following report of the kidnap of Mr. Emmanuel Tor Yaji in Vandeikya Local Government Area, an intense rescue operation was launched.
“On 31/12/2024 at about 1300hrs, the police team in Kwande Local Government Area located the kidnappers in Nambe Adikpo town and engaged them in a gun duel.
“One of the suspects sustained gunshot injuries and was eventually confirmed dead by a doctor.
“Another suspect was arrested while two others took to their heels.”
CSP Anene said that the victim was rescued unhurt and had been reunited with friends and family.
Few hours after the initial press statement, the command’s image maker added another: “Further to the report earlier released, information was received about the remaining two suspects at large shooting to find their way out of Nambe village, and the police team advanced to engage them.
“The two kidnappers sustained gun shot injuries during the second gun duel. They were confirmed dead at the hospital and their corpses deposited at the mortuary.
“One more AK-47 rifle was recovered from them.”
The PPRO said that investigation would be ongoing.
