One dies in police chase, kidnapped victim rescued

One suspected criminal died of his gunshot injury, while other gang members escaped following a police chase in Delta state.

According to a police report, an anti-crime patrol attached to ‘A’ Division, Warri, while on a stop-and-search duty on Iyara Road, intercepted a tricycle with three male occupants.

The tricycle was said to have reversed and sped off on sighting the police team but they were given a chase.

“The team went after them until they got to the Chevron Clinic Road, Warri, where the hoodlums opened fire on the policemen and the team equally responded.

“In the process, one of the suspects was maimed, while the others escaped. The injured suspect was taken to a hospital where he gave up the ghost while receiving treatment.

“One locally-made cut-to-size gun with six live cartridges and two expanded cartridges were recovered,” said Bright Edafe, the spokesperson for the Delta state police command.

In a similar incident, Edafe said the police succeeded in rescuing a kidnap victim from his captors.

Operatives attached to the State Anti-Cult Unit, around 11pm on Saturday, August 6, flagged down a Toyota Camry with three occupants.

“But the suspects allegedly refused to stop for a search.

“Rather, they drove against traffic in a bid to escape along Okirigwe Road, Sapele.

“Consequently, the police team gave the suspects a chase until they got to a dead end where they jumped down from the vehicle and escaped into a crowded place.

The suspected criminals reportedly abandoned their vehicle and fled on their feet.

“The team got to the abandoned vehicle and found a lone victim tied inside the car.

“The police team rescued the victim unhurt.”

Exhibits recovered from the scene included one locally-made shotgun, one cutlass and the operational vehicle, suspected to have been stolen.