Police on Wednesday shot dead four thugs in different incidents in Nairobi as a crackdown on thugs terrorising city residents enters the homestretch.
In the first incident, two robbers died in a hail of fire after challenging detectives on patrol to a duel, leading to a deafening exchange of fire at the Kwa Viatu area near Kamukunji grounds.
The two, who were part of a four-man gang that had earlier accosted two members of the public headed to work, were intercepted close to Kamukunji grounds. On noticing the presence of the officers, they shot at them, leading to the exchange.
Two of the thugs were lucky to escape the onslaught by diving into the nearby Nairobi river.
Following the incident, one homemade firearm capable of firing, a blood-stained knife, mobile phones and six wallets were recovered.
Moments later, along Thika road in the Kastemill area, another armed thug was felled by officers on patrol after he was intercepted trying to cross over from Zimmerman to Kastemill carrying stolen goods.
The armed thug who defied orders to surrender was fatally wounded. A Beretta pistol loaded with 2 rounds of 9mm calibre was recovered from him. Also recovered was a 43’flat screen television suspected to have been stolen from a house in Zimmerman.
The third thug died in a fierce shootout as he, together with an accomplice, defied orders of the police.
“The two armed with a Browning pistol loaded with 13 rounds of 9mm calibre were no match to the sleuths’ ferocious firepower coupled with sufficient government ammo, that fatally wounded one of them instantly as his accomplice fled to nearby shrubs with life threatening injuries,” said the police.
A Police raincoat, handcuff keys, four mobile phones, two master keys and a dagger were recovered.
Efforts to arrest the thugs who escaped are in top gear as detectives urge medical practitioners in Eastlands to be on the lookout for two young men seeking treatment for severe diarrhoea and one with gunshot injuries.
