Operatives of the Delta State police command have raided kidnappers’ hideouts and killed five suspects terrorising Ubulu-Uku, Issele-Uku, Issele-Asagba and environs.

Command spokesperson, Bright Edafe, in a statement in Asaba on Sunday, said the police carried out the operation after acting on intelligence.

Mr Edafe said operatives raided “criminals’ hideouts in a forest between Issele-Asagba and Otulu, where one Bellow Abubakar and his gang members were waiting in ambush.

“On sighting the policemen, the suspected kidnappers attacked them in a fierce gun battle but the operatives, who were aware of the battle ahead reciprocated in like manner.

“The suspects could not withstand the firepower of the operatives, as they ran in different directions with various degrees of bullet injuries.

“Five of the suspects, including the said bellow Abubakar, who could not escape due to severity of their injuries, were taken to the hospital but they were confirmed dead,” he added.

Mr Edafe stated that two AK-47 rifles and 18 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered in the forest.

He also said operatives raided another hideout in Agu-Amawbia forest, Anambra State, where one other AK-47 rifle and 132 rounds of live ammunition was recovered.

Mr Edafe assured that operatives are still making efforts to arrest other injured suspects still on the run.