By Okhide Em’ya David
Edo State Police Command, in a renewed offensive against criminals have killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued a 13-month-old baby.
The Assistant Public Relations Officer of the Edo Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Iwegbu U. Jennifer said disclosed this in Benin City during the week.
According to her, men of the Command had in a swift response to a distress call by residents of Achigbor Community along Benin-Auchi road, in Uhunmwonde Local Government Area of the state mobilized to the scene and came face to face with the suspects numbering six.
She said the men earlier met one 42-year-old distraught Mrs. Elizabeth Ojo at a vandalized compound, screaming that her baby had been taken by some suspected hoodlums, who sped off into the bush.
Her words “some hoodlums suspected to be kidnappers vandalized my property and whisked away my baby of 1yr 1month into the bush”.
The Police spokesperson said the Command personnel immediately matched into the bush adding that the kidnappers on sighting them threw the baby away and opened fire on them.
She said due to the superior fire power of the Police operatives, three out of the six-member gang died immediately adding that the other three suspects escaped with bullet wounds.
She however said the Police were combing the bush to fish out the fleeing Hoodlums.
She said fortunately the baby was rescued unhurt and has been handed over to the mother.
The Police said one cut-to-size double barrel gun, a sharp matchet and one battle axe were recovered at the scene of the crime.
Edo State Commissioner of Police (CP) Abutu Yaro commended the brave Officials.
He said the timely intervention of the Police operatives on pin-down along the axis immediately saved the day.
The CP expressed deep appreciation to the good people of the State and tasked them to be more security conscious and sustainably avail the Command of useful information on whereabouts of criminals and their activities.
He warned criminals to relocate as the State abhors crimes and reassured the general public that the command would continue to swiftly handle complaints.
