Francis Ogbuagu 
The Edo State Police Command on Tuesday neutralized a suspected gang of kidnappers in Benin City, the State capital while rescuing the victim.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Moses Yamu said the incident occurred on Sept. 15 when operatives from the Ugbowo Division, Benin responded to a distress call from one Valentine Igbinevbo.
Iyamo said Igbinevbo reported at the division that his silver-coloured Mercedes Benz C350 car had been snatched at gunpoint, and his friend, Iyobo Ighodaro, abducted.
He said the Divisional Police Officer, CSP John Emmanuel, swiftly mobilised and led a surveillance team to track the suspects to their hideout in Egor, on the outskirts of Benin.
At the hideout, he said the suspects were negotiating for ransom using the victim’s phone.
“On sighting the Police, a gun battle ensued where one male suspect, whose identity is yet to be known sustained fatal gunshot injuries and was rushes to the hospital but was pronounced dead, while his second is believed to have narrowly escaped with gunshot injuries.
“The operatives recovered the said vehicle, one cut to size gun, one live cartridge, a cutlass and three (3) phones of different make.
“Meanwhile, the victim was rescued unhurt, received medical attention and reunited to his loved ones while the corpse of the suspect was deposited at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH)”.
The police spokesperson quoted the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nemi Edwin -Iwo as commending the DPO and his operatives for their effort in combating crime.
The commissioner, however, warned all criminal elements in the state that their days were numbered if they continued in crime.
