The Enugu State Police Command has confirmed a gun duel with armed men suspected to be kidnappers in a forest at Agbogazi-Nike in Enugu East Local Government Area of the state.

A statement issued on Tuesday by the Enugu Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Daniel Ndukwe, said the operation followed credible information about the activities of the assailants in the area.

The PPRO noted that the hoodlums, upon sighting the operatives of the command, opened fire on them, leading to a gun duel in the forest.

According to him, the “gallant and tactful operatives returned fire,” neutralizing one of the kidnappers, forcing others to escape with fatal gunshot wounds.

The PPRO said one AK-47 rifle loaded with nineteen rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the assailants, while further manhunt operations to fish out the fleeing suspects are ongoing.

The statement added that police operatives, working with other security personnel, similarly rescued travelers alleged to have been kidnapped along Ette Road in Igbo-Eze North Local Government Area, en route Abuja last week.