Two cops, three kidnappers killed in Imo shootout

Two police officers and three kidnappers have been killed after a shootout with a kidnap syndicate operating along the Orogwe area in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.

The police spokesperson, Henry Okoye, in a statement seen by PUNCH Metro, on Wednesday, stated that the Anti-Kidnapping Unit carried out the operation.

He stated that the three suspects were killed during the operation, resulting in the recovery of six AK-47 rifles, along with 131 rounds of live ammunition.

“The police also captured two suspects, David Ifeanyichukwu (20) and Abuchi Joseph (24), who were involved in kidnapping and armed robbery.

“The gang had been involved in the abduction of one Osuji Caleb Chimereze and three others on November 12, 2024, during which they stole a Mercedes Benz and other valuables,” the statement partly read.

Okoye, however, revealed that the operation resulted from extensive investigation and intelligence gathering.

He stated that the suspects had used these vehicles in their criminal activities, including the kidnapping of other victims.

The police spokesperson, however, stated that two police officers were injured during an exchange of fire and later died afterwards.

PUNCH Metro reported in November that operatives from the Commissioner of Police Special Assignment Team of the Delta State Police Command neutralised two suspected kidnappers at their hideouts along Ewheru-Patani Road in Ughelli Local Government Area of the state.

The state Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, who made this known in a statement noted that on October 28, at around 19:48, the CP-SAT operatives, acting on credible intelligence, stormed the criminal hideouts along Ewheru-Patani Road in Ughelli LGA.

However, during the operation, the operatives were ambushed by the suspected criminals.

As a result, the security team engaged the suspects in a fierce gun battle, during which two of the criminals sustained bullet injuries.