Police detectives in Asaba, Delta State have killed six suspected kidnappers and armed robbers during a raid on their hideout and discovered an arms factory in Umunede, Ika North-East local government area of the state, both on Thursday.
This was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, ASP Famous Ajieh who said that the arms factory met the ammunition needs of both kidnappers and armed robbers who have been working with some indigenes of the community for some time now.
The police spokesman disclosed that hundreds of AK-47 rifles with over 3,000 locally-made guns and 6,000 rounds of live ammunition were recovered during the raid, adding that the six suspects were killed when they attempted to escape from their hideout.
He added that detectives had mounted surveillance in the areas and asked the residents of Umunede to be bold and forward information on suspects to the police to check the activities of criminals.
Residents of Umunede had contacted the police when they saw unfamiliar persons around a fenced plot of land located on old Ekwuoma Road.
Sources said that suspected cultists and armed robbers were allegedly using the place to keep their weapons while strange persons were often seen in the area doing nothing.