The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT) has apprehended a four-man gang of heavily armed kidnappers, said to be notorious for terrorising the waterways and kidnapping in Rivers and Bayelsa states. The bandits were intercepted along Azikiwe Road in Port Harcourt on their way to another operation.

According to statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by Force Public Relations Officer, DCP DON N. Awunah, gun duel ensued between the Police team and the hoodlums, after which three of them were fatally wounded while one James Peter ‘m’ aged 30 years from Southern Ijaw Local Government Area (LGA) of Bayelsa State was arrested.

The arrested member of the gang, the statement said, has since been cooperating with the Police in their investigation by providing very valuable information on the membership of the gang and their modus of operation.

The Police spokesman also disclosed that weapons recovered from the kidnappers include one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one AK47 rifle, chains of GPMG ammunition and two fully loaded AK47 magazines. He also declared that efforts are in top gear to arrest fleeing members of the gang and recover their cache of arms. Meanwhile, the IGP, Ibrahim K. Idris has once again enjoined Nigerians never to hesitate to provide the Police with valuable information and assures them of renewed commitment on the part of the force in the fight against crime and antisocial behaviour.

•Photo shows battle-ready policemen.

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