The Oyo State Police Command yesterday said it foiled a planned attack on Elebe village, Aleniboro, via the Irawo Mine area of Oyo State.

The command disclosed that the breakthrough followed credible intelligence from a resident who alerted security operatives to the presence of about 10 armed men allegedly hiding in a farm settlement within the village and planning to launch an attack under the cover of darkness.

According to the police, the suspects were reportedly armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns and locally made pistols.

It stated that upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer, Tede Division, promptly informed the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, who ordered the deployment of additional operational assets.

In a statement, the command said officers, in collaboration with members of Agbekoya and local hunters in Aleniboro, moved to the identified hideout.

“On sighting the advancing security operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. In the course of the exchange, two of the bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with suspected bullet wounds,” the statement read.

A reinforcement patrol team later conducted a combing operation in the surrounding bush.

Items recovered at the scene included a locally made pistol, one empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two expended 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition shells, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, two mobile phones and a bottle containing a substance believed to be a mixed drink.

The command said the area had been secured, while surveillance and bush-combing operations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and forestall any further threat to Elebe village and neighbouring communities.

It added that the Commissioner of Police commended the Nigeria Police Force leadership under the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for continued support and provision of logistics.

The police also urged residents to remain vigilant and provide timely information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in tackling criminality.