Operatives of Ogun State Police Command have repelled an eight-man armed robbery gang, who invaded the popular phone market in Okelewo area of Abeokuta.
The armed robbery gang stormed the market, popularly known as “TARMAC”, on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at about 5:30 p.m., started shooting sporadically and taking away expensive phones.
The Guardian gathered that distress call was quickly made to the police at Ibara divisional headquarters, consequence upon, which the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Ibara division, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Abayomi Adeniji, quickly mobilised his anti-robbery and surveillance teams in collaboration with men of Amotekun Corps and moved to the scene.
“On sighting the policemen, the robbers engaged them in a gun battle, but due to the superior fire power of the policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.
“They were chased and with the assistance of the market men, one of the robbers, later identified as Adeniji Sakiru, 32, was apprehended.
“Unfortunately, one Dayo Bankole, a trader in the market, who was shot by the robbers gave up the ghost, while receiving treatment at General Hospital, Ijaye , Abeokuta.
“Recovered from the arrested robber are- one double barrel locally made gun and assorted charms,” a police source said.
Meanwhile the outgoing state’s Commissioner of Police now Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Frank Mba, has directed that the suspect be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), for discreet investigation.
He also ordered a massive manhunt for the remaining members of the gang with the view to bringing them to justice.
Mba appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals, to inform the police if anybody with gunshot injury is seen in their area.
