A member of a suspected robbery gang lost his life after a shootout with the police in Warri, Bright Edafe, the police spokesman in Delta said on Sunday.

Mr Edafe reports that the three-member gang, travelling on a tricycle, refused to stop for search at a police checkpoint on Iyara Road, Warri South Local Government Area.

“The suspects surprisingly reversed the tricycle and sped off. The team, upon suspicion, went after them till they got to Chevron Clinic Road in Warri.

“The hoodlums opened fire on the policemen and the team responded. In the process, one of the suspects was maimed while others escaped.

“The injured suspect was taken to the hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment,” he said.

Mr Edafe said that one locally made cut-to-size gun with six live cartridges and two expanded cartridges were recovered, adding that a manhunt for other members of the gang was ongoing.

Also, the State Anti-Cult Unit (SACU) while on special duty alongside the Sapele Divisional patrol team rescued a kidnapped victim, Mr Edafe said.

He said that the team flagged down a Toyota Camry with Registration Number: AFM 47 AP with three occupants, adding that the hoodlums refused to stop for search.

“Rather, they drove against traffic in a bid to escape on the Okirigwe Road, Sapele and the police went after them.

“They jumped out of the vehicle and escaped into a crowded place. When the team got to the abandoned vehicle, they saw a victim tied inside the car who was kidnapped by the suspects.

“He was rescued unhurt and has since reunited with his family,” Mr Edafe said.

According to him, exhibits recovered from the suspects included: one locally made short gun, one cutlass and their operational vehicle suspected to have been stolen.

He said that effort to apprehend the fleeing suspects was ongoing.

(NAN)