Police on Monday evening gunned down a suspected gangster, who they say was part of an organised criminal gang that has been terrorizing residents of Nairobi’s Eastlands suburbs.

Detectives say the suspect, known as Abbas, had been on the police radar and was spotted by officers on patrol as a pillion passenger on a numberless motorcycle on Kangundo road.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) says the motorcycle rider refused to pull over when flagged down and instead the passenger drew a gun and fired at the officers indiscriminately.

In the ensuing exchange of fire, according to DCI, officers shot dead the suspect while the rider managed to escape from the scene leaving his motorcycle behind with police in hot pursuit.

Ammo recovered from the scene. PHOTO/DCI

Police recovered one Glock pistol believed to have been stolen from a cop, three live rounds of 9mm caliber and 11 other live ammunitions of different caliber were recovered from the scene.

Police say Abbas was a dangerous criminal linked to a spate of killings in Buru Buru, Kayole and Dandora estates, including the shooting and maiming of a woman in Kariobangi months back.

The gun has been taken for ballistics examination as the motorbike was also detained.