1 dies as police, suspected gangsters exchange gunfire

The Police in Benue State yesterday said that one Danladi Awudu, also known as Jerry, has been killed when members of his gang allegedly engaged security operatives in a gun battle. Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), for the Benue Command, Moses Joel Yamu, said the deceased was killed while Operation Zenda Special Crack Squad were […]

The Police in Benue State yesterday said that one Danladi Awudu, also known as Jerry, has been killed when members of his gang allegedly engaged security operatives in a gun battle.

Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), for the Benue Command, Moses Joel Yamu, said the deceased was killed while Operation Zenda Special Crack Squad were engaged in a gun duel with gang members of the wanted criminal, Terwase Agwaza, popularly referred to as Ghana at about 3:am last Friday. 

He said the gun battle ensued when the police stormed a criminal hideout on the border with Taraba State, following information that Ghana and his gang members were holding a meeting.  

Yamu added that the bandits opened fire on sighting the police team and that in the ensuing gun duel, Awudu who was hosting the meeting was hit by a bullet while others escaped with bullet wounds.

The police spokesman said the Awudu was confirmed dead on reaching the hospital. 

He listed items recovered by the police to include an assault rifle with 115 rounds of live ammunition, 10 live cartridges, assorted charms, two army camouflage shorts and other items.

Yamu said a search is ongoing to arrest the fleeing members and the gang leader (Ghana) on whose head the state government placed a reward of N10 million for useful information that would lead to his arrest.