By Emma Amaize

KOKORI—Police at Isiokolo Division in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State, have gunned down a suspected kidnapper and rescued a female victim abducted August 8 at Ovwian-Aladja.

Sources said that following a distress call to the Divisional Police Officer that a kidnap victim was being held hostage at an uncompleted building at Kokori, a police patrol team and vigilante men mobilised to the hideout.

The kidnappers, who had demanded N30 million ransom from the family of the victim, opened fire on sighting the security team.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Celestina Kalu, said: “In the ensuing gun battle, one of the criminals was killed, while others escaped. The victim was, however, rescued unhurt.

“Items recovered include one cut-to-size gun and two live cartridges. Meanwhile, efforts are on to apprehend the fleeing suspects.”

In the meantime, detectives, with the assistance of vigilantes, have arrested one of the robbery suspects who broke into the residence of Nweke Michael at Agbarho and robbed him of his laptop, two handsets valued at N30,000, belonging to his sister, Nweke Aghogho, at gunpoint.

Kalu said police recovered two locally-made pistols and the victim’s laptop from the suspect, adding investigation was in progress, while efforts were on to apprehend the suspect’s accomplices.