A suspected kidnapper has been killed in a gun battle with Police operatives at Oviri-Ogor community in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State.

A statement by the Delta State Police Command said the suspect died in a hospital where he was rushed to while receiving treatment due to serious gunshot injuries he sustained during the gun battle.

The statement said the Police operatives led by ASP Julius Robinson also arrested three other members of the kidnapping gang.

The arrested suspects include, Ismaila Umaru, 28, Chede Mohammed, 18, and Mohammadu Sani, 26.

Delta State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, in the statement released on Wednesday, said, “Acting on credible intelligence gathered over a period and an in-depth technical intelligence related to the kidnapping of one male victim (name withheld) kidnapped at his resident in Edjakota area In Ughelli South LGA of Delta State, the operatives on Special Assignment led by ASP Julius Robinson cracked down the deadly kidnapping syndicate responsible for the act on 01/07/2024 at about 1200hrs and arrested one Ismaila Umaru 28yrs ‘m’ of Kekura Village in Awe LGA of Nasarawa State but resident at Oghara town by Power Line, Delta State.

*On 04/07/2024 at about 2030hrs, the suspect led operatives to the arrest of two (2) other gang members namely Chede Mohammed ‘m’ 18yrs a native of Nasarawa State but resident of Agwara in Ughelli South LGA of Delta State and Mohammadu Sani ‘m’ 26yrs a native of Banbiru area of Abuja but resident at Upper Agbarho Area of Ughelli North.

“Acting on their confession at about 0530hrs of 05/07/2024, the operatives stormed the bush by Oviri-ogor where the operatives encountered an attack from other gang members, one where one of the suspects hiding in the bush sustained serious gunshot injuries and was taken to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment.

“One AK-49 rifle was recovered in the hideout.”

The Police spokesman further disclosed that investigation is ongoing.