The police command in the Federal Capital Territory said it has killed a suspected notorious bandit during a gun duel at Kwasau Forest in Kaduna State.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the FCT, SP Josephine Adeh, said this in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja.

Ms Adeh said that the suspect was killed following a well-coordinated intelligence-led operation, involving an intense counter-kidnapping operation.

She said that the operation was aimed at dismantling a syndicate responsible for violent crimes along the Kaduna-Lokoja-Enugu highway, within the FCT.

According to her, acting on credible intelligence regarding the movement of bandits into the FCT on March 3, the Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit led operatives to block their access routes.

She added that the operatives, after a meticulous tracking, successfully intercepted and arrested a suspect at Gidan Abe Forest while he was en route to Bwari Area Council in the FCT.

The FCT police spokesperson said that the suspect was identified as a notorious hit man for bandit leaders operating in Rijana Forest, Kaduna State and terrorising communities along major highways, as well as kidnapping unsuspecting victims and extorting huge ransoms.

She stated, “On March 4, at approximately 11:14pm, leveraging intelligence provided by the arrested suspect, operatives launched a high-risk follow-up operation to dismantle his gang. The suspect led the Anti-Kidnapping Unit to Kwasau Forest, Kagarko LGA, Kaduna State, where his gang had established a major hideout. Upon arrival, the police team was ambushed by armed bandits attempting to free the suspect, but the operatives swiftly engaged the criminals in a fierce gun battle, displaying superior tactical expertise and resilience.’’

Mr Adeh said the bandits were ultimately overpowered and forced to flee into the forest with severe gunshot wounds.

She added that the suspect sustained fatal gunshot wounds inflicted by members of his gang during the crossfire before he was rushed to Kubwa General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

(NAN)