Security men comprising soldiers and policemen yesterday clashed with six gunmen on Aba-Owerri Road, near Eziukwu in Aba, Abia State.
The Nation learnt a member of the gang died in the gun duel, while two others, who were injured, were arrested by the police while trying to escape.
Another account said two persons died on the spot. It said the gunmen robbed David Ogbole of his Toyota Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) registered as Lagos EPE 568 EM, at Powerline, Ogbor Hill. The hoodlums were accosted by the police on Factory Road, near Aba-Owerri Road.
The incident, according to an eyewitness, lasted about 30 minutes, causing a gridlock, as motorists abandoned their vehicles and ran.
Sources at the Aba Area Command said two vehicles used by the hoodlums were intercepted.
The gunmen, it was gathered, waylaid a popular pastor in Aba at a railway crossing between Eziukwu, by Factory and Aba-Owerri Road and attempted to kidnap him.
The kidnap was foiled when one of the divisional police officers in Aba and his team ran into the gunmen and engaged them in a gun duel.
Items recovered from them included locally made pistols.