The Delta State Police Command has neutralised five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate. Command spokesman SP Bright Edafe revealed this to journalists in Warri on Wednesday. According to Edafe, the suspects were neutralized on Friday during a gunfight with operatives of the CP-Special Assignment Team (CP-SAT). The encounter took place inside the Uwiamughe forest in Ughelli North Local Government Area. He added that the operation was led by ASP Julius Robinson, following credible intelligence. “Acting on credible information, the police team trailed and arrested the leader of a kidnapping syndicate at DSC roundabout in Warri. “The arrest and interrogation of the suspect led to the arrest of two other suspects at Otovwodo Park in Ughelli,” he said. Edafe said that preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects were allegedly responsible for a series of kidnappings and armed robberies in Uwiamughe, Otu-Jeremi, Warri, Ughelli, and their environs. “Acting on the strength of their confessions, the suspects led the operatives to Uwaimughe Forest, where they hid their weapons. “Upon exit from the forest, some hoodlums suspected to be members of the syndicate engaged the police in a gun duel. “During the gun duel, five of the hoodlums sustained gunshot injuries while others escaped,” he said. The police spokesman stated that the injured suspects were taken to the hospital, where they later died while receiving treatment. Edafe disclosed that recovered items included an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, and three locally made firearms. Additionally, two magazines, 60 rounds of AK-47 live ammunition, and 17 live cartridges were seized. He further noted that three arrested suspects and the recovered weapons were in police custody. Efforts, he added, were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members.