Operatives of the Delta State Police Command have killed five suspected kidnappers terrorising Ubulu-Uku, Issele-Uku, Issele-Asagba and environs areas of Delta State.

The police public relations officer in the state Command, SP Bright Edafe, made this known in a statement on Sunday.

According to Edafe, acting on intelligence, the operatives stormed one of their hideouts of the kidnappers in Agu-Amawbia forest, Anambra state, where they recovered one AK-47 rifle and 132 rounds of live ammunition.

?Investigation was extended to another of the criminals? hideouts in a forest between Issele-Asagba and Otulu, where one Bellow Abubakar and his gang members were waiting in ambush.

?On sighting the policemen, the suspected kidnappers attacked them in a fierce gun battle but the operatives, who were aware of the battle ahead reciprocated in a like manner.

?The suspects could not withstand the firepower of the operatives, as they ran in different directions with various degrees of bullet injuries.

?Five of the suspects, including the said Bellow Abubakar, who could not escape due to severity of their injuries, were taken to the hospital but they were confirmed dead?

Edafe said two additional AK-47 rifles and 18 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition were recovered in the forest, while a manhunt for other injured fleeing suspects is ongoing. (The PUNCH)