The anti-crime patrol team of the police command in Kogi says it has eliminated two members of a suspected five-man kidnapping gang in a shootout on the Ajaokuta highway.

The spokesperson to the governor, Onogwu Muhammed, disclosed in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday.

Mr Muhammed said that the police repelled what would have been another circle of kidnapping attack by the gang members who were in military uniform.

He said that the team of policemen also recovered arms, money, phones, Bank ATM cards and other valuables from the criminals.

“The alleged criminals numbering five had blocked the road stopping vehicles until the men of the anti-crime patrol team swooped in on them and engaged them in a gun battle.

“Two of the criminals were killed while three others escaped into the bush.

“The police teams are on the trail of the fleeing suspected kidnappers, combing the bush areas around the location of incidence.

“The police have in their possession items recovered from the criminals which include two wooden AK47, 25 assorted GSM handsets, one First Bank ATM card bearing Mohammed Jamiu and an undisclosed sum of money,” Mr Muhammed said.