Two suspected kidnappers were killed and two abducted victims rescued after security operatives engaged a group of kidnappers in a gun battle at a forest in Imo State.
According to The Punch the operation was carried out by police operatives and local vigilantes following intelligence on the whereabouts of the kidnapped victims, according to the state Police Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu.
Iniedu said the security team mobilised to the forest after receiving the intelligence but came under attack from the suspected kidnappers, resulting in an exchange of gunfire.
He said two of the suspects were neutralised during the encounter, while some of their accomplices escaped with gunshot wounds.
“The hoodlums engaged the operatives in a gun duel, resulting in the neutralisation of two kidnappers while others escaped with gunshot injuries,” he said.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the two victims held by the kidnappers were rescued without injuries.
“The two kidnapped victims were successfully rescued unharmed,” he added.
However, the operation came at a cost as one of the vigilantes involved in the raid sustained a gunshot wound and later died at a hospital.
“Regrettably, one vigilante sustained a fatal gunshot injury and was confirmed dead at the hospital,” he stated.
Iniedu said the incident was under investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department in Owerri.
