A 5-man gang of suspected armed robbers and kidnappers who for months have terrorized Benin City and surrounding communities have been routed by the Edo State command of the Nigeria Police.
Sources within the Command confirmed to sharpedgenews.com that the anti-kidnapping squad of the police recently apprehended Mr. Endurance Ekhator who had previously been declared wanted in connection with a series of robbery and kidnapping in Edo State. The suspect later led the police to his group’s hideout on Uwa Street along 1st Road in Benin City.
The spokesman for the police command, Mr. Etim Bassey, confirmed to sharpedgenews.com that a gun duel ensued between the police and the armed bandits encountered at the hideout, resulting in the arrest of 4 more suspects.
The suspects are Osaze Idahusa, 22, Bamidele Thompson, 23, Kelly Oviersell, 25 and Emmanuel Destiny, 20.
Our correspondent learned that dangerous weapons were recovered from the scene of the confrontation, including cut-to-size single-barrel rifles, one AK-47 assault rifle magazine with 30 rounds of 1.6mm live ammunition, 14 other live cartridges and an assortment of 22 mobile GSM handsets.
Also recovered at the scene was a saloon car with registration number AKA38AA, along with three pairs of mobile police uniforms, a couple of bank vaults.
Mr.Bassey stressed the earlier-made promise of the Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr. Olayinka Balogun, to make Edo State a no-go area for criminals, but safe for the good citizens of the state. He appealed to members of the public to continue to avail the police with useful information that will continue to lead to the arrest of criminals in the state.