Two policemen and a driver were reportedly killed by gunmen in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of Delta State as suspected kidnappers moved to abduct Mrs. Christy Uroye, wife of the lawmaker representing Warri South Constituency in the Delta State House of Assembly, Augustine Uroye, on Monday night.

Eyewitnesses said the abductors shot dead the three victims, in their struggle to kidnap the woman whom the policemen were escorting in the SUV conveying her along Jakpa road, during the incident.

PUNCH Metro however gathered that the abductors’ getaway vehicle got disrupted as it crashed while making a frantic bid to escape with the captive, along the busy road, thus allowing for Mrs. Uroye’s rescue.

The victim is said to be currently receiving treatment at a nearby private hospital.

Eyewitnesses narrated that during the attack, residents of the area were forced to flee from the scene to avoid getting hit by bullets.

When PUNCH Metro contacted the Delta State Command Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bright Edafe, on Monday night, he confirmed the incident but claimed that the operation was “not successful.”

Edafe further stated in a terse message that three AK-47 rifles were recovered from the suspects’ vehicle.

Corroborating the PPRO’s statement, a family source who spoke with our correspondent, on Tuesday, on the condition of anonymity because he was not permitted to speak with the media, also affirmed that “the abductors’ vehicle got involved in an accident along the road with their captive while the woman is now receiving treatment in a private hospital in the locality.”

The source did not, however, confirm whether or not the abductors were arrested in the ensuing melee. (The PUNCH)