The police in Edo State have shot dead three kidnappers and rescued a kidnapped one-year-old baby.
The state command’s deputy spokesperson, ASP Iwegbu Jennifer, said the police received a distress call from the residents of Achigbor community on the Benin-Auchi road that hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers were operating in the area.
She said, “We mobilised to the area where our men met a vandalised compound with One Elizabeth Ojo (42) screaming that her baby had been taken away. On enquiry, she said hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers vandalised her property and whisked her baby away.”
“Our men immediately moved into the bush for possible rescue of the baby. On sighting the operatives, the kidnappers threw the baby into the bush and opened fire on them.
“In the gun duel with the police, three of the six kidnappers were killed, while the three others escaped into the bush.”
She further said the baby was rescued unhurt and handed over to the mother, adding that items recovered from the suspects included a double-barrel gun, a cutlass and an axe.