By Jimitota Onoyume

Two suspected kidnappers were shot dead by the Police in Delta State at a bush in Ekakpamre, Ughelli South local government area.

Spokesman of the Delta State Police Command, DSP Bright Edafe, disclosed in Warri that the kidnappers were among those that abducted a young man in a Mercedes Benz G-Wagon parked along Jakpa road in Uvwie local government area, near Warri, adding that they also went away with the vehicle.

The image maker of the police said policemen quickly gave the kidnappers a hot chase when they were alerted of the development, adding that in an ensuing gun battle with the kidnappers at the bush in Ekakpamre, two of the kidnappers were killed and one fled with bullet wound.

The police spokesman said the kidnapped victim was also rescued, adding that the vehicle, guns and bullets were among the items recovered during the operation.

He said: “At about 1930hrs, a 23-year-old male (name withheld) parked his black-colored GLK 350 Benz SUV along Jakpa Road leaving his brother (named withheld) inside the vehicle as he went about other activities. While at it, he was alerted that the vehicle was attacked by three armed men who carried the vehicle with his brother in it, driving off to an unknown destination.

“Police team proceeded to a bush at Ekakpamre, Ughelli-South LGA, where upon being sighted by the kidnappers, engaged in a serious gun battle and in the process, two of the kidnappers were fatally injured, while one of them escaped with gunshot injuries.

“The kidnapped victim was rescued unhurt, two single-barrel and one double-barrel guns with two expended cartridges were recovered, alongside the vehicle. The two injured suspects were taken to the hospital where they were certified dead by the doctor on duty. Efforts are on to arrest the injured suspect who escaped.”