Police officers on Thursday, September 14, gunned down three suspected robbers and arrested three others during a crackdown on criminals in Migori County.

A pastor at a local church in Migori was one of the three suspected robbers who were shot dead by the police.

In a statement, police officers revealed that the pastor was part of a nine-member gang that had been terrorizing Migori residents.

Police noted that the gang was planning to attack local businesses within Migori town when police officers laid an ambush.

“In collaboration with the Criminal Investigation officers at the police headquarters, the three suspected thugs were killed after a fierce exchange of fire.

“The officers also arrested three others in the ongoing crackdown on criminal gangs,” police noted in a statement.

Migori County Police Commander Peter Kimani said the three suspects were gunned down by the police in Suneka area on Thursday night.

The police commander noted that an AK-47 rifle and bullets were recovered from the suspects during the crackdown.

Kimani said the officers from Migori in collaboration with those from Nairobi used technology to identify and trace the gang from Isebania to Suneka.

In addition, he explained that the three suspects were killed after a serious gunfire exchange between the gang and the police.

The police boss further revealed that the officers had been tracking the suspects for the past week in the counties of Migori, Kisii, and Homa Bay.

He added that the gang has accomplices in the neighboring country, Tanzania.

The bodies of the suspects were ferried to Migori Hospital mortuary as the officers prepared to arraign those who were arrested in court.

Police have intensified the search for the suspects who escaped from the scene as they continue with investigations into the matter.