Operatives of the Nigerian Army have killed kidnappers along the Benin/Ekpoma road, in Edo State.
Gatekeepers News reports that the incident occurred on Wednesday by Okwo, in Ehor, Uhunmwode local government area of the State.
An eyewitness revealed to Gatekeepers News that kidnappers had reportedly taken over the ever busy highway on Tuesday morning, but were driven into the forest by the Nigerian Army.
The security operatives who engaged them in gun-battle killed some members of the kidnappers while others escaped into the forest with serious injuries.
Travellers plying the road were held for several hours while the security operatives engaged the hoodlums.
It was gathered that an unidentified young man who was driving a Lexus SUV was hit by a stray bullet on his shoulder.
The undeterred gunmen, however, appeared on the highway Wednesday morning, laying ambush for travellers plying the road.
The security operatives again came to the rescue of the motorists, as they engaged the hoodlums.
Brigadier-General Oyema Nwachukwu, Director Army Public Relations, confirmed the incident through a press statement, adding that efforts are ongoing to track the fleeing criminals and free up that corridor from all forms of violent crime.
He stated that the gallant troops recovered one AK 47 rifle, one Pump Action Shotgun and other dangerous weapons.
Part of the statement read; “Troops of 4 Brigade Nigerian Army(NA) acting on credible intelligence have taken out 3 kidnappers, who are believed to be part of the notorious kidnap cum robbery gang terrorizing the ever busy Auchi-Benin road in Edo state today, 2 February 2022.
“The kidnappers met their waterloo while on their nefarious operation along the axis. They however ran out of luck, as the vigilant troops swooped on them, engaging them in a gun duel that led to the elimination of three members of the gang, while others fled in different directions.”
