Police gun down 1, arrest suspected kidnapper

The police in Benue State have gunned down a suspected armed robber and arrested one other person in connection with kidnapping.

Spokeswoman of the command, SP Catherine Anene, at the weekend, said that the men of Operation Zenda JTF were on routine patrol on Taraku-Otukpo road when they ran into a robbery incident in Ankyoor village on May 3, at about 2am.

She explained that the syndicate engaged the police team in a gun duel during which one of the robbers received gunshot injuries and was rushed to hospital where he was confirmed dead and his corpse deposited in the hospital morgue while other gang members escaped with gunshot injuries.

She listed items recovered from the criminals to include one locally made pistol loaded with three rounds of 9mm ammunition and dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.

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She further disclosed that on April 19, information was received that a kidnapper was threatening one Innocent in Zaki-Biam town to pay the sum of N5m into a bank account or that he (Innocent) would be kidnapped and killed.

She said, “The victim paid the sum of N500,000 to the said account provided by the kidnapper but the threat persisted. Police investigation led to the arrest of one Elijah M. Elisha. Police uniform and military camouflage trousers were recovered from the suspect during a search in his house. Suspect confessed to the crime.”