A suspected armed robber, donning an army camouflage, has been shot dead by police operatives in Ogun State.
The incident occurred on the Sagamu/Benin highway in the early hours of September 4, 2020.
According to the Police Public Relations Officer of the state, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the state command received a call at about 2.45a.m., through the police station at Ijebu-Ife, that a gang of armed robbers in military camouflage, who were fully armed, had blocked the highway, and were dispossessing motorists of their valuables.
“When the information was received, the Divisional Police Officer of Ijebu Ife station, CSP Raphael Ugbenyo quickly mobilised his anti-robbery team, as well as a team of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), to the scene.
“On sighting the policemen, the robbers engaged them in a gun battle which lasted for about 30 minutes.
“At the end of the encounter, one of the hoodlums was shot dead, while others escaped into the nearby bush with various degrees of gunshot injuries,” the PPRO said.
He further disclosed that two mock guns, a mobile phone, assorted charms and a torchlight were recovered from the scene of the incident.
Oyeyemi added that the corpse of the dead armed robber had been deposited in the mortuary, while efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the gang.
In his comment, the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, who praised his men for their gallantry display, directed that the entire area should be combed, to bring the escaped members of the gang to justice.
The police commissioner also appealed to the general public, especially hospitals, to alert the police if anyone with bullet injury had been seen.
Ajogun reiterated his warning to criminals to steer clear of Ogun State, as the command was “ready to take the battle to doorsteps steps.”
