A suspected kidnapper has died from gunshot wounds after his criminal gang members engaged operatives of the Nasarawa State Police Command in a gun battle at the Nasarawa – Keffi Highway around Kemu Village.

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, Ramhan Nansel, disclosed this in a press release on Thursday, on the command’s official X handle, attached with two pictures of the neutralised suspect and a picture of his rifle.

According to the statement, the police said it swiftly conducted the operation in collaboration with the military, on Wednesday, after receiving a distress call at about 9pm, that some hoodlums had blocked the said highway in order to kidnap unsuspecting road users.

He said, “One of the hoodlums was fatally wounded and  one AK 47 rifle loaded with eleven rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition was recovered; forcing the hoodlums to abandon their mission and scamper for safety due to the superior fire power of the joint security forces.’’

The police spokesperson said their “findings revealed that the kidnappers had stopped two Sport Utility Vehicles in order to kidnap the occupants, but the swift intervention of the joint security forces saved the situation. The wounded kidnapper was rushed to General Hospital, Nasarawa, where he died while receiving treatment,” he added.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Umar Nadada, assured members of the public of the command’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all road users and residents.