Troops kill three kidnappers terrorising Benin-Auchi road

Troops of the Nigerian Army have killed three kidnappers, who have been terrorising commuters on the Benin-Auchi Expressway in Edo State.

The Director Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

The army spokesperson noted that the assailants were killed on Wednesday after the soldiers engaged them in a gun battle on the ever-busy highway.

Nwachukwu added that “one AK 47 rifle, one pump action shotgun, and other dangerous weapons” were recovered from the kidnappers.

READ ALSO: Travellers stranded as soldiers engage kidnappers on Benin-Auchi road

He stated that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing kidnappers and secure the highway from any further attack.

The army spokesperson, therefore, called on the people of Edo State to continue to expose criminals in their localities to law enforcement agencies.

“They are also urged to go about their normal activities as efforts are in place to ensure seamless security,” Nwachukwu stated.

The Star had earlier reported that hundreds of commuters were on Wednesday stranded on the Benin-Auchi Expressway after soldiers engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel.

The incident was made known by a traveller who recorded a video showing the deserted road and stranded commuters.

According to the man, who spoke in the background of the video, the ever-busy expressway was deserted as gunshots between soldiers and the gunmen rented the atmosphere.

He further disclosed that the incident threw the commuters into panic, saying the road was entirely blocked.

TheStar