From: Paul Osuyi, Asaba

A suspected armed robber, who was attempting to escape after his arrest, was on Wednesday shot dead by security operatives in Delta State.

The suspect, whose identity was yet be verified, as at press time, reportedly jumped out of a moving police patrol van.

He was subsequently gunned down allegedly by enraged police officers who were taking him to the station.

The incident occurred at Agidiesei Quarters, Ogwashi-Uku in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State.

A source at the Ogwashi-Uku police division told our correspondent that operatives of anti-robbery squad of the command had accosted a three-man gang suspected to be armed robbers during the wee hours of the fateful day.

The source said the operatives decided to search the suspects, adding that the suspects took to their heels on sighting the officers alighting from the patrol van.

“However, one of them was caught, and in the process of searching him, a locally made cut-to-size gun was found in his bag and he swiftly arrested.

“But on their way to the police station, the boy jumped down from the moving police vehicle in a bid to escape, hence, he was shot. He gave up the ghost at the station,” the source said.

According to the source, operatives of the division have spread out dragnet to trap down the other fleeing members of the gang.

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