Updated: Police engage armed robbers in gun duel, kill one, another critically injured in Ibadan

NEMESIS caught up with a two-man robbery gang that have allegedly terrorised the Ibadan South-West Local Government Area of Oyo State as they met their waterloo with the members of the monitoring team of the police.

The suspected armed robbers engaged the police in a shootout that lasted for several minutes. One of the suspected armed robbers was killed while the other one was critically injured during the shootout very near the Tribune House at Imalefalafia area of the city on Wednesday

At Anfaani, Nigerian Tribune gathered that the robbers had waylaid a Muslim cleric popularly called Alfa, who was carrying motorcycle parts packed inside a sack but might have been mistaken for cash. After shooting Alfa, they proceeded to Imalefalafia. They had stopped at a vulcaniser stand under pretense of inflating their tyres while the second robber engaged a POS operator, a woman in conversation, an eye witness said..

Another eye  witness, Seye Adeniyi, who said he witnessed the shooting of Alfa, told the Nigerian Tribune  that people in the area alerted the police at Iyaganku and trailed the robbers to Imalefalafia.

“With information gathered, the policemen drafted to the area laid ambush around the Tribune where the robbers were suspected to be ready to carry out another operation,” he explained.

“On sighting policemen, one of the robbers drew his pistol and opened fire on them, injuring one of the policemen. The policemen returned fire and with the collaborative efforts of  bystanders, were able to apprehend the robbers.

“One of the robbers, who carried a backpack containing pistol, catridges, charms and bracelets, sustained bullet wounds and died immediately while his ‘Okada’ pilot rider, was caught alive after many efforts,” Nigerian Tribune gathered.

 Speaking further, Adeniyi said, “I suspect that this same gang robbed a friend of mine and killed him. Today, I was around Ring Road when we heard a gunshot.

“On sighting fleeing men on a motorcycle, we noticed that they had shot a man who carried a sack, contents of which were identified later to be motorcycle parts. We immediately mobilised support and carried the injured man to the hospital while we tried to trail the robbers. On getting to Imalefalafia, we were told that the police had also laid ambush in the area. Moments later, we heard gunshots close to a popular vulcaniser’s shop and two people sustained bullet wounds; One, the robber and the other a policeman. The robber, who is the leader of the gang, died.

“Upon searching him, live ammunition, charms, large sums of cash, among other items were found,” he concluded.

Another eye witness, Mr Olusesi Olusola, said he was among the people that rushed the policeman to a clinic around the same axis. He said the dead robber really gave a fight and it took a lot of effort by the police bystanders before he could be overpowered. The police, however, took the injured man away.  

Confirming the incident in a telephone chat, a senior police officer who craved anonymity said, “Today at Imalefalafia area in Ibadan South West local government area, a notorious armed robbery gang engaged our men in a shootout.

“During the shooting which lasted for several minutes, a member of the gang was felled by police bullet while the critically injured one is receiving medical attention at an undisclosed hospital.

“Our officers are in the hospital to monitor his recovery process. Hopefully, we will be able to get necessary information that will assist in our investigation. The police have been on the trail of the gang who has been reportedly responsible for the criminal activities including armed robbery in the area.

“We hope that the success achieved in foiling their activities would end their raids in the area and adjoining communities,” he concluded.

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