Operatives of the Nigeria Police, Warri Area Command, late Wednesday, engaged four suspected robbers in a shootout, killing two in the process.
This is just as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), Ibrahim Kpotun Idris,will today visit Ugborodo, Oporoza and other communities in Warri South and Warri South West local government areas of Delta State.
The four suspects were said to have snatched a Toyota Highlander jeep with registration number Lagos KJA 320 BK from Azubike Nwajuana at Ajamimogha near Okere in the heart of Warri, at about 5: 00p.m.
The police operatives, who were said to be on a routine patrol, pursued the bandits all the way to the bridge linking Chevron office complex and Delta State Broadcasting Service (DBS), where they engaged them in a shootout, after the jeep the robbers were escaping with skipped and summersaulted.
The robbers, according to a witness, dived into the river under the bridge to escape, but were swiftly swooped upon by the security agents, who eventually killed two of them.
Gallant leader of the patrol, ASP Johnbull Aigbodion, was said to have sustained gunshot injuries in his wrist, and was rushed to the Warri Central Hospital for medical attention.
Aigbodion,who spoke with the Nigerian Tribune on Thursday, in bandaged wrist, said the robbers engaged his men in the shout-out even while inside the river.
Confirming the incident, the newly posted Commissioner of Police to Delta State, CP Zanna M. Ibrahim, in a chat with the Nigerian Tribune in Warri on Thursday, said the bodies of the suspects had been deposited in a morgue at the Warri Central Hospital.
He said two of the robbers were killed while the other two escaped with gun shots injuries, adding that arms and ammunition were recovered from the bandits, as well as the stolen vehicle even as efforts were on to arrest the fleeing suspects.
The police boss vowed to make life unbearable for criminals of various shades in the state except they repent or relocate from the state in their own interest.
Meanwhile, the new IG is said to be visiting the violence-ridden creeks to consolidate on the peace move already being initiated by President Muhammadu Buhari with aggrieved militants in the region.
His visit also signposts preparation ahead of the commencement of work at the Gas City Project, at Ugborodo a few weeks time.
