Operatives of the Niger State Police Command on Wednesday killed a suspected kidnapper during a gun duel after his failed attempt to evade arrest.

The suspect, who was a member of a four-man kidnap ring, had threatened a businessman to pay a N3 million ransom or be kidnapped.

However, the suspect could not escape the firepower of the police who also rescued a 22-year-old kidnap victim.

The spokesman for the command, Wasiu Abiodun, made this known in a statement on Thursday in which he said the police received information that the suspected four-man gang threatened a businessman from Bako-Mission village, Pissa District of Borgu Local Government Area to pay N3million within three days at a particular location around Tunga-Umoru village, via Pissa District or be kidnapped.

“On 21/02/2024 at about 1030hrs, information was received that four suspected kidnappers threatened a businessman of Bako-Mission village, Pissa District of Borgu LGA to drop N3m within three days at a particular location around Tunga-Umoru village, via Pissa District or be kidnapped.

“Immediately this information was received, the Police tactical team, including vigilante members led by the DPO New-Bussa Division, swung into action, mobilised to the purported location, adopted appropriate operational strategy and engaged the kidnappers in a gun battle, while one female victim of about 22yrs earlier kidnapped was rescued unhurt.

“Fortunately, the team combed the bush and one of the bandits was neutralised during the gun battle and his AK-47 rifle with an empty magazine was recovered.

“Other members of the gang fled the scene with various gunshot injuries and a concerted effort is ongoing to nab the fleeing outlaws. Public confidence was restored and the area was stabilised,” Abiodun stated.

The state police command had said that no one was stopping trucks carrying food from moving to the south through the state.

The state governor, Mohammed Bago, recently issued an executive order banning the mopping of foodstuffs by people he called “speculators” who come with trucks to cart away the foodstuffs from Niger and other northern states.

Noted