A suspected notorious kidnap kingpin David Kamalu believed to be responsible for several abductions and killings across Rivers state has been killed during a shootout with police operatives.
Penpushing reports that the Rivers State Police Command Public Relations Officer Grace Iringe-Koko made this known in a statement, emphasizing that the suspect was linked to several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies targeting both residents and commuters travelling along the highway.
The statement added that the incident took place during a raid on a criminal hideout in Rumuodogo One community, Emohua Local Government Area of the state, explaining that during the raid the operatives encountered heavy armed resistance from members of Kamalu’s gang.
‘The operation at the criminal hideout commenced at about 1 a.m. following days of intensive intelligence gathering on Kamalu, who was popularly known as ‘M-Kaze. During the raid, our operatives encountered heavy armed resistance from members of Kamalu’s gang, resulting in an exchange of gunfire. In the ensuing shootout, Kamalu was neutralised, while several other gang members fled with varying degrees of bullet wounds,” she said.
Penpushing further reports that Iringe-Koko, a superintendent of police, described the deceased as a high-value target, reputed for allegedly masterminding multiple kidnappings of innocent citizens.
The police spokesperson in e statement accused Kamalu of the brutal murder and beheading of a local security operative, known as Alete, alias ‘Hunter Commander’, in January, adding that he was also linked to several high-profile kidnappings and armed robberies targeting both Emohua residents and commuters travelling along the East-West Road.
“Owing to his heinous crimes and his leadership of a violent kidnapping syndicate, the then Chairman of Emohua Local Government Area had placed a bounty on Kamalu’s head. The bounty underscored the grave threat he posed to the peace and security of the Local Government Area,” she added.
Penpushing also reports that Iringe-Koko said efforts were ongoing to apprehend other gang members who escaped and urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any individuals with gunshot wounds to the nearest security agency.
The statement disclosed that items recovered during the raid included a pump-action shotgun, two live cartridges, and various charms reportedly used by the kidnappers for protection and intimidation adding that one AK-47 rifle loaded with 18 rounds of live ammunition was recovered from the suspects.
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