No fewer
than five deadly kidnappers trying to collect ransom after kidnapping a
businesswoman in Akwa Ibom state have been gunned down in a bloody gun battle
with policemen from Ikom Division of the Nigeria Police early this morning.
The tragic
incident took place in Ikom Local Government Area of Central Cross River State.
The woman identified as Mrs. Asimco, a prominent figure in the area was
kidnapped along Ogoja road in the urban center.
It was
gathered that the kidnappers refused to collect ransom of N5 million and
insisted on collecting N50 million before they were ambushed by police officers
on rescue mission.
The police
patrol team chased the criminals to a forest where a gun duel ensued leaving 4
of the bandits dead in the process. One was said to have been arrested alive
and taken to the police station and was later shot by a policeman in the
station while 2 of the bandits are still on the run but their victim has been
rescued, according to a report by CrossRiverWatch.
The
Spokesperson for the State Police Command, ASP Irene Ugbo confirmed the
incident and disclosed that the corpses have been transported to the State
Command Headquarters in Calabar.
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