Gun battle in Ebonyi: Police shoot two armed robbers dead

By Christian Ogbonna

Operatives of the Ebonyi State Police Command have shot two suspected armed robbers dead during a fierce gun battle in Iyonu community, Ishielu Local Government Area of the state.

The operation, carried out within the Iyonu/Idodo Forest, followed credible intelligence on the activities of a criminal gang said to have been terrorising the area.

Police Public Relations Officer, SP Joshua Ukandu, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Saturday, said the suspects opened fire on the security operatives, leading to a heavy exchange of gunfire.

“At the end of the encounter, two of the suspects were neutralised,” Ukandu stated.

He disclosed that one AK-47 rifle, two locally made Dane guns, 20 rounds of 9mm ammunition, and five live cartridges were recovered from the scene.

In a separate operation, operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit foiled a kidnap attempt on the mother of a prominent individual in Isata community, Isu Onicha Local Government Area. Three suspects were arrested during the operation, while one escaped.

Ukandu added that a locally made single-barrel gun was recovered from the kidnap suspects, noting that they would be charged to court after investigations.

Commissioner of Police, CP Adaku Uche-Anya, assured residents that the command remains relentless in its crackdown on criminals, urging the public to provide timely and credible information to aid security operations across the state.