Police inspector shot, 2 robbers killed

TWO wanted members of a gang that specialised in robbing bank customers in Lagos were, on Monday, killed during a gun battle with policemen.

A police inspector, who had gone to a branch of a new generation bank in Idimu area of the state to withdraw money, was, however, shot by the robbers.

One of the three-man robbery gang, Gafar, was later arrested by operatives of the Inspector General of Police Team and policemen attached to Idimu divisional police station.

It was gathered that the police inspector had, around mid-day on Monday, gone to make a withdrawal from the bank when the robbers attacked him.

The policeman was shot in the face but the sounds of the shootings attracted the IGP Team to the scene of the robbery operation.

The image maker in charge of the state police command, Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident to Lagos Metro and added that the injured inspector was recuperating at the hospital.

“Gafar and two others were intercepted by operatives from Idimu division and IGP’s anti-vandalism team on Okunola Street, Idimu while robbing a bank customer.”

She added that “the gang had targeted a customer coming out of a bank, who was later identifued as an inspector of police, was fired on the face in order to dispossess him of the money he was carrying in a bag.”

The Lagos police spokesperson added that “on sighting the operatives, the robbers opened fire and the team responded, leading to two of the robbers being hit by bullets.

“The robbers were rushed to the hospital where they were confirmed dead, while the victim is recovering in the hospital.”