The police command has killed two suspected armed robbers in two separate operations in the Warri axis.

The command’s spokesman, Bright Edafe, confirmed this on Saturday in Warri. He said police operatives attached to ‘B’ Warri killed one of the suspects on Friday.

He explained that the police were on a surveillance patrol at the Okere Market Junction when they received a distress call that a four-man robbery gang was operating within the Miramble Guest House.

“The team raced to the scene and the hoodlums, on sighting the police, engaged them in a gun duel,” he added. “In the ensuing gun battle, one of the hoodlums was hit by the police bullet while others escaped. The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he died while receiving treatment.”

Mr Edafe further stated that a locally-made double-barreled, cut-to-size gun and a live cartridge were recovered from the suspects, adding that the command was on the trail of the fleeing members of the gang.

Confirming the second incident, which occurred on Wednesday, Mr Edafe said the suspect was killed when police operatives attached to ‘A’ Division, Warri, Rapid Response Squad were on routine stop-and-search duty on the Urhobo Road.

According to him, the team sighted two young men walking towards them, and “unsurprisingly, one of the suspects brought out a gun from his handbag and fired at the policemen but missed his target.”

He added, “The team returned fire, forcing the suspects to retreat; unfortunately, one of the suspects was hit while the other escaped. The injured suspect died before he could get to the hospital,” he said.

Mr Edafe said one locally-made gun, one expended cartridge and one live cartridge were recovered.

(NAN)