Operatives of the Oyo State Police Command have neutralised two suspected bandits during a failed attack on Elebe village in Aleniboro, Oke Ogun area of the state.
The incident, which occurred following intelligence reports of an imminent assault, involved a combined team of police officers and members of the Agbekoya local hunters’ group. The security operatives engaged the armed suspects in a gun duel and overpowered them.
Confirming the development in a statement issued in Ibadan on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Olayinka Ayanlade, said the breakthrough followed credible intelligence provided by a concerned resident who alerted authorities to the presence of about 10 armed men hiding at a farm settlement within Elebe village.
According to Ayanlade, the suspects were reportedly armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns and cut-to-size locally made pistols. They were said to have been openly discussing plans to attack the community under the cover of darkness.
Upon receiving the intelligence, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Tede Division promptly informed the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, who immediately authorised the deployment of additional operational assets to forestall the attack.
Police officers, in collaboration with Agbekoya members at Aleniboro, swiftly mobilised to the identified hideout. However, on sighting the approaching security team, the hoodlums allegedly opened fire, triggering an exchange of gunfire.
“In the course of the exchange, two of the bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with suspected bullet wounds,” the statement said.
A reinforcement patrol team subsequently conducted a thorough combing of the surrounding bush. Items recovered at the scene included one cut-to-size locally made pistol, one empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two expended 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition shells allegedly fired by the suspects, quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, two Tecno mobile phones and a bottle containing a substance believed to be a mixed drink.
The police spokesperson said the area has since been secured, with ongoing surveillance and bush-combing operations aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects and preventing further threats to Elebe village and neighbouring communities.
The Oyo State Police Command reassured residents of its commitment to proactive intelligence-led policing and collaboration with local security outfits to combat banditry and other violent crimes across the state.
