Two suspected armed robbers were killed while an AK-47 rifle, three locally-made guns and 11 rounds of live ammunition were recovered by operatives in Delta State Police Command on Thursday, December 30, 2021.
Disclosing this on Friday, December 31, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Bright Edafe, said that other members of the gang escaped into the bush.
On what led to the incident, DSP Edafe said that the command got information on Thursday at about 10:05am that hoodlums were firing gunshots at Morfor park in Udu Local Government Area, resulting in the killing of three people.
“The Commissioner of Police, Delta State, Ari Muhammed Ali, directed the Divisional Police Officer, Ovwian Aladja, to go after the hoodlums. On sighting the police, the hoodlums escaped towards Udu-Otokutu highway in a red Mercury Mariner SUV with registration number Abuja KWL 895 RQ, but on getting to Igbeki in Ovwian Aladja, they attempted to attack one chief (name withheld), unknown to them that he had a team of Special Protection Unit (SPU) operatives escorting him,” the PPRO said.
He added that on noticing the presence of the SPU operatives, the hoodlums numbering about four diverted to a street in Igbeki Udu, but the combined teams of SPU operatives and Ovwian Aladja patrol officers led by the DPO, went after the hoodlums.
“The hoodlums engaged the police teams in a gun duel and in the ensuing shootout, two of the armed robbers sustained gunshot injuries while the other members of the gang escaped into the bush. The injured suspects were taken to the hospital but gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.
“One AK 47 rifle with breech no. 148399, one magazine loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, and three cut-to-size locally made guns were recovered. One Red Mercury Mariner Jeep with registration number Abuja KWL 895 RQ which is the operational vehicle of the hoodlums was also recovered. Manhunt for the fleeing suspects is ongoing,” the PPRO said.
