by Adeola Balogun

A notorious four-man gang suspected of robbery in Delta State has been split in half by men of the state police command after 2 suspected members of the group were shot dead by the security operatives.

The suspected robbers whose main base of operation was the Aladja environs of the Udu Local Government Area of the state were felled by the officers around Owhosa Street.

The two lost their lives during a response mission embarked on by the police command after receiving a distress call from a resident of the area.

The Sun Newspaper reports:

It was gathered that the robbers on sighting the police, opened fire and in the ensuing gun battle, the two men were killed while two others escaped.

The Public Relations Officer of the Police command, ASP Lucky Uyabeme, who confirmed the incident in a statement, said efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing gang members. One locally made pistol, one cut-to-size single barrel gun and one double barrel gun as well as three life ammunition and one expended cartridge belonging to the gang were recovered from the scene.

Meanwhile, one Eric and Pius have been arrested for allegedly kidnapping one Kayode while driving his SUV with registration number JJJ 806 BD around Obosi Layout in Osubi near Warri. ASP Uyabeme, who announced the arrests, said the suspects allegedly confessed to the crime, adding that they led police detectives to their hideout where their partners in crime engaged the police in a gun duel during which one of them was gunned down and the other fatally wounded.

He said that two cut-to-size guns and the vehicle were recovered.

He also disclosed that the kidnapped hotelier in Ogwashi-Uku, one Adeke, has been rescued unhurt without the payment of ransom.