Two kidnappers terrorising Kogi State in recent times were killed in a gun duel with police while two were nabbed, said police spokesman William Ovye-Aya on Friday in Lokoja.

Mr Ovye-Aya in a statement said the suspects were nabbed during a raid on the kidnappers den by police operatives of the Odolu Division, Igalamela Local Government Area, in synergy with a local vigilance group.

One pump action, seven phones, charms, among others were recovered, he said.

Mr Ovye-Aya noted that the police raid followed “a report from a victim, who escaped from the kidnappers’ den on Thursday, while the family was still negotiating for his release.”

“We immediately mobilised our officers and men along with the vigilante and hunters, into the bush in search of them.

“When the kidnappers sighted our operatives, they opened fire on them but during the gun duel that ensued, two were neutralised and arrested,” he explained.

Mr Ovye-Aya said, “This breakthrough is as a result of the strategies adopted by the Commissioner of Police, CP Edward Egbuka, purposely to curtail activities of kidnappers, armed robbers, bandits, and other heinous crimes in the state.”

He said the CP assured members of the public that the Police would work in synergy with other security agencies in the state to ensure the safety of lives and property.

(NAN)