Police kill wanted criminal in shootout

The police in Enugu say they shot dead a wanted armed robbery kingpin, known as KC, during a gun duel between the police and his gang members in the state.

The Enugu police spokesperson, Ebere Amaraizu, made the disclosure in a statement in Enugu on Wednesday.

He said police operatives recovered one locally-made pistol and three live cartridges from the deceased.

Mr Amaraizu remarked that the confrontation that lasted over 30 minutes took place at the hideout of the armed robbery kingpin and his gang in Obolloafor area of Udenu Local Government Area on April 7 at about 7 p.m.

‘‘Police operatives confronted the armed robbers and kidnappers in their hide-out following a coordinated operation,’’ he said.

Mr Amaraizu said that the armed robbers engaged security operatives before they were overpowered just as the deceased hoodlum got injured.

‘‘He was rushed by police operatives to a nearby hospital for medical attention and was later confirmed dead by a doctor on duty.

‘‘Others believed to have escaped with bullet injuries are being searched for, with an intensified manhunt on them,’’ Mr Amaraizu added.

The police spokesman, however, said that a full-scale investigation had commenced into the incident