Suspected Kidnapper Shot Dead In Rivers

Operatives of the Rivers State Police Command have neutralised a suspected kidnapper and cultist, Gbarani Bume, popularly known as “Pelele”, while attempting to kidnap a site engineer at Luawii Community in Khana local government area of the state.

Bume, an indigene of Beree Community was a member of the Iceland cult group which terrorised Beree, Taaba and other neighbouring communities in the local government area.

Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement issued in Port Harcourt on Sunday, said Bume was killed on Saturday, during a gun battle between operatives and members of his gang.

Iringe-Koko stated that policemen attached to Bori Division, had been mobilised to Luawii community, following a tip-off that Bume and his gang were in the community preparing to kidnap a site engineer working in the area.

“The hoodlums, on sighting the operatives, opened fire on the operatives and a fierce crossfire ensued between the police operatives and the hoodlums, during which Pelele was fatally wounded, his accomplices escaped with various degrees of bullet wounds,” the statement said.

The police spokesperson listed items recovered from the suspect to include one AK-47 rifle, two magazines and 10 rounds of live ammunition.

“Investigation is ongoing, while concerted efforts are intensified to apprehend other fleeing gang members and bring them to justice,” the statement added.

It further stated that the operation demonstrates the Command’s commitment to tackling and ensuring public safety in Rivers State.