Edo State police command has killed three deadly and violent kidnappers who are believed to be terrorizing the city.
The trio was killed during a gun duel with the armed policemen.
According to Standard Gazette crime correspondent Festus Alenkhe exclusively gathered that the deceased suspects belonged to a five-person gang of alleged kidnappers and armed robbers terrorizing Ugbowo, Isiohor, Oluku and environs.
SG gathered that the gunmen stormed a house around Adolor College road around 2 am where they forced their way into three apartments in the locality.
A National Youth Service Corp member who resides in one of the apartments was badly wounded during the incident.
Standard Gazette gathered that the hoodlums shot sporadically into the air to scare the occupants of the apartments.
Some of the residents contacted the police. The police arrived while the robbers were still in operation.
Upon sighting the police, the hoodlums opened fire, forcing the policemen to retaliate.
Three suspects were killed, and one of them escaped with gunshot wounds.
The injured NYSC member told Standard Gazette that “I was asleep when I heard gunshots and the next thing was that they were breaking my door. By the time they entered, they had used heavy iron to strike my head, and I collapsed. It is a terrible experience”.
Another victim who escaped the horrific attack told SG that “I heard them calling my name, and I knew they were KIDNAPPERS. I don’t really don’t how I was able to jump through the fence to escape. I have to call the police, who came instantly. I must commend the police for the urgent response”.
Before he died, one of the suspects, Mathias Akobigho, said his gang was hired to “attack the area, kidnap for ransom”.
He added, “A man in one of the houses contracted us to come to Benin to hustle through kidnapping and armed robbery.
“I borrowed the guns for the operation. Two of us escaped from Oko prison in Benin city last year during the ENDSARS protest”.
The police in Edo is yet to make a statement on the incident.
Items recovered from them include one Barretta pistol with two magazines, one live ammunition, one locally-made cut to size gun, three live cartridges and several mobiles phones already snatched from the victims.
Standard Gazette