In furtherance to bush combing operation in search of kidnappers terrorising different parts of Ogun State, operatives of the Ogun State Police Command in the early hours of Saturday engaged suspected kidnappers in gun duel at Bere forest in Onigaari area along Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.
This was disclosed by the spokesman of the Command, Abimbola Oyeyemi, in a statement on Saturday.
According to Oyeyemi, the success of the operation was as a result of information received by the command from members of the public that the AK 47 bearing hoodlums, numbering about six, were sighted in the forest, possibly waiting for the appropriate time to strike.
Upon the information, the Command’s Commissioner, Edward Awolowo Ajogun, quickly deployed the Command’s tactical teams, coordinated by the Divisional Police Officer, Owode Egba Division, CSP Olusola Oniyiku, to the forest in search of the hoodlums.
While the combing was going on, the hoodlums on sighting the policemen opened fire on them, and a gun battle ensued between them.
At the end of the encounter, one of the bandits was shot dead on the spot, while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
Searching the forest further, one of the bandits with bullets wound was arrested in the bush, but gave up the ghost few minutes after.
Two Ak 47 riffles with breech numbers 1983NF1040 and 1987-3-CA-1212 with five rounds of ammunition were recovered from them.
The latest riffle recovery makes it four AK 47 riffles recovered by the command within the period of two weeks.
Also recovered from them were sachets of tramadol and assorted charms.
Ajogun has ordered for a massive manhunt for the remaining members of the gang.
He also appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals, not to hesitate to inform the police if anyone with gunshot injury is seen in their area.
He assured the people of Ogun State that the command will not rest on its oars until the state is rid of criminal elements.
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