The police-led Joint Security Force in Anambra has killed a suspected gunman and rescued a victim allegedly kidnapped by the suspect in Orumba-North LGA, Anambra.

Police spokesman Tochukwu Ikenga disclosed this in a statement on Sunday.

Ikenga said that the incident occurred late on Saturday at Amaokpala, Orumba-North LGA, where the JSF engaged the armed hoodlums in a gun duel.

“In the late hours of July 12, operatives of the Police-led JSF from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Aguata LGA, while on a night visibility patrol around Amaokpala, encountered a group of armed hoodlums and engaged them in a gun duel.

“During the operation, the operatives successfully rescued a 26-year-old female  victim, neutralised one of the armed criminals,” he said.

He said one pump-action gun, 11 live cartridges, and one ash-coloured Toyota Camry Sedan with registration number Lagos-EPE-208-FK were recovered from the criminals. 

Other items recovered at the scene include one police belt, one carton of Chelsea sachet alcoholic drink, one Zenith Bank ATM card, an axe, a Tecno mobile phone, one packet of cigarettes, assorted charms, and N2,700.

He explained that the suspects allegedly opened fire upon sighting the patrol team.

According to him, the operatives tactically returned fire, leading to a gun duel that lasted approximately 40 minutes.

One suspect was fatally wounded and later confirmed dead at a nearby hospital, where the body was deposited in the morgue for preservation.

Mr Ikenga also said that the rescued victim has since been debriefed and provided with necessary medical attention, ahead of a safe reunion with her family.

(NAN)