3 Suspected Kidnappers, Soldier Killed During Rescue Operation

The Nigerian Army said three kidnap suspects and a soldier were killed in Kogi State on Tuesday during a rescue operation.

The spokesman of the Command Army Records, Lokoja, Weri Finikumor, told NAN in Lokoja that some of the suspected kidnappers have been arrested and helping the military in its investigations.

Naija News gathered that three suspected kidnappers and a soldier died in Okene area of Kogi on Monday during a gun duel between some soldiers and a gang of kidnappers when the soldiers were trying to rescue an oil magnate, Momoh Otinau, from the suspected kidnappers that abducted him on February 17.

A relation of Otinau reportedly informed soldiers of the “operation cat race” of his intention to go and drop ransom to the kidnappers whom he had been negotiating with. Therefore, the soldiers followed him with the intention to rescue the victim and arrest the suspects.

However, the kidnappers on sighting the relation and the soldiers fired at them. During the gun battle that ensued between the kidnappers and soldiers, a soldier and three kidnappers lost their lives while Mr. Otinau also sustained gunshot injury.

The Army spokesperson assured that “operation exercise cat race” will boost security in the state and combat crimes and criminality.