Five out of a seven-man kidnap gang were gunned down at Aguleri, Anambra East Local Government Area of Anambra state by officers of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS).
The remaining two were arrested with severe bullet wounds as five corpses of the slain kidnappers were displayed at the SARS premises in Awkuzu.
The dead kidnap suspects were shot during a gun battle with the police officers who trailed them to their den on their way back from collecting a ransom of over N3 million from a victim’s relative who they kidnapped in Onitsha.
Confirming the incident, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Mr. Emeka Chukwuemeka, says the police in Anambra will not rest until criminals and criminal activities are reduced to the barest.
Chukwuemeka confirmed the rescue of the victim who would not want publicity for security reasons.
He claimed that the ransom, one AK47 rifle and a locally made gun otherwise known as ‘Cut to size’ were recovered from the kidnappers.
The two suspects who were captured alive with severe gunshot injuries on their legs have made confessional statements.
Chiedu Ejike, 27, confessed to be part of the criminal gang, claimed this was his first outing.
Chizoba Okolo, 23, said it was his kindness to his friend and one of the gang members now at large that implicated him.
The two suspects both from Aguleri and will be charged to court soon stated the police PRO.
In a similar development, three other kidnap suspects from Nnewi were also paraded.
Their colleagues at large threatened the police to release the trio or leave them with the choice of killing their victim.
While their threats made no headway, they released the victim but the police held the suspects pending the outcome of their investigation.
