The Bayelsa State Police Command on Tuesday said its anti-kidnapping squad has raided a robbers’ hideout and gunned down a suspected armed robber in a gun duel.

Asinim Butswat, a Deputy Superintendent of Police and Spokesman of the Command said the squad conducted the operation at an uncompleted building along Air Force Road, Okaka, Yenagoa, to arrest a three-man notorious armed robbery gang based on tip off.

Butswat said that on sighting the Police and in a frantic bid to escape, the robbers fired at the squad, and the Police returned fire.

“One of the suspects sustained a bullet injury, while the others escaped, abandoning one locally made Single Barrel pistol, one live cartridge, one expended cartridge and wraps of substances suspected to be Indian hemp.

“The wounded suspect was arrested and taken to the Federal Medical Centre, for treatment, but he died a few hours later.

“The deceased suspect was later identified as one Innocent Kokorifa. Efforts have been intensified to arrest the fleeing suspects,” he said.

•Photo shows battle-ready policemen.