Five shot dead during police, robbers gun battle in Delta

Gunmen, suspected to be armed robbers, on the New Year’s Eve invaded a motor park in Udu Local Government Area of Delta State and shot three people dead.

Bright Edafe, Delta Police Command spokesperson, in a statement however said two of the four robbers were shot dead in a gun battle with the police, while others escaped.

He said the police got information about the invasion of the motor park by gunmen at about 10am.

He stated, “The Commissioner of Police Delta State, Ari Muhammed Ali, directed the DPO, Ovwian Aladja, to go after the hoodlums.

“The hoodlums on sighting the police escaped towards Udu-Otokutu Expressway in a red mercury mariner jeep with registration number, Abuja KWL 895 RQ.

“On getting to Igbeki in Ovwian Aladja they attempted to attack one chief (name withheld), unknown to them the chief had a team of Special Protection Unit (SPU) operatives escorting him.”

Edafe said the robbers then diverted to another street when they were confronted by the SPU operatives.

“The combined team of SPU operatives and Ovwian Aladja Patrol teams led by the DPO Ovwian Aladja Division went after the hoodlums.”

He added that one AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 11 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, three cut-to-size locally made guns, and an SUV were recovered from the robbers.

The police spokesperson added that the manhunt for the fleeing suspects had commenced.