Robbers kill colleagues in gun duel with police

The Delta State Police Command said two suspected armed robbers were killed by gunshots fired by their colleagues during a shootout with operatives of the command in the state. The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the deceased were shot by their colleagues when the operatives […]

The Delta State Police Command said two suspected armed robbers were killed by gunshots fired by their colleagues during a shootout with operatives of the command in the state.

The Public Relations Officer of the command, SP Bright Edafe, who disclosed this to newsmen, said the deceased were shot by their colleagues when the operatives stormed their hideout in a forest behind 3 Battalion Barracks Army Estate, Effurun along the Warri/Sapele road.

He said the suspects died at a hospital while receiving treatment.

According to him, the surveillance team from Ekpan Division, while on patrol along Effurun Round About axis, arrested one Eto aged 31 with a black bag containing 57 live cartridges.

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He said, “Upon which the surveillance team mobilized to their hideout following Eto’s confession at Coconut Village Along Warri/Sapele Road by Mercy City and arrested one Sunny (25), who was waiting to receive the consignment often called ‘ground nuts.’

“Suspects led operatives to their forest main hideout behind 3 Battalion Barracks Army Estate Effurun along Warri/Sapele road being their main camp.

“However, as other gang members waiting inside the forest camp sighted police vehicles, they engaged police in a shoot-out and during the gun duel, the arrested suspects who were leading the policemen to the hideout, were fatally wounded by the gunshot from their gang members while others escaped.”

The command’s image maker said when a discreet search was conducted at the camp, one English Pump Action gun, one locally made cut-to-size gun and eight live cartridges, six iPhones, some smartphones, and a Rolex Gold Wrist Watch were all recovered in a black bag.

He said a manhunt to arrest the fleeing suspects was ongoing.