From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
A 25-year suspected member of a kidnapping squad in Delta State, one Oghenetega Ovwa, has died as a result of gun shot injuries he sustained during a shoot out with operatives of the state police command.
Although, other members of the gang escaped, the police operatives rescued the victim which was kidnapped earlier in the day.
Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Bright Edafe, who confirmed the development on Friday in Asaba, said manhunt for the fleeing gang members has been intensified.
Narrating what transpired, Edafe said the victim was kidnapped at Ugborikoko in Warri South Local Government Area by the gang who forced him into his own Mercedes Benz GLK SUV, and headed towards Agborho.
According to him, officers were swiftly deployed to the Warri-Ughelli highway to carry out intensive stop and search with a view to rescuing the victim and arrest of the suspects.
“While the police were carrying out this task painstakingly, they intercepted a Mercedes GLK SUV that matches the description of the victim’s vehicle.
“The suspect Oghenetega Ovwa ‘m’ aged 25yrs of Ugborikoko, who was driving the vehicle, was arrested and upon searching the vehicle, one pump action gun with six rounds of cartridges were recovered,” he explained
Edafe stated that during investigation, the suspect confessed to being a member of the kidnapping gang that earlier kidnapped the owner of the GLK.
He said the suspect led the team to their hideout at Ugborikoko, and on arrival, his “gang members engaged the police in a gun duel, the suspect was hit during the heavy gun duel, while other members of the gang escaped.
“The victim was rescued unhurt and reunited with his family. The suspect, who sustained serious gunshot injuries during the gun duel, was taken to the hospital where he was confirmed dead.”