A police officer attached to the Anti-Robbery Squad of the Aba Area Command, Abia State, Anyanime Udobat, lost his life during a shootout with an alleged kidnapper on Wednesday.
It was gathered that the incident happened in the Aro Ngwa community in the Osisioma Local Government Area of the state.
The identity of the kidnapper, who was also killed, had yet to be ascertained as of the time of filling this report.
The state Commissioner of Police, Awosola Awotinde, told PUNCH Metro that the police squad was trying to gain entrance into the house of the suspect to effect his arrest when he started firing at them.
According to the CP, the police officer was shot at close range and died on the spot, adding that the suspect was also killed in the crossfire.
Udobat, an indigene of Akwa Ibom State, was the driver of the squad that went after the notorious kidnapper following a tip-off.
A source described the fallen cop as a gallant officer, who was loved by the people in and around the police barracks, adding that members of Udobat’s squad fought hard to keep him alive, but he died due to excess loss of blood.
At the Aba Area Command, the sight was that of mourning as his colleagues were seen discussing the death of the officer, who was described as a good man.
It was also gathered that Udobat, who was survived by his wife and four children, recently dedicated his newborn baby before his untimely death.