A terrible crisis was averted on Saturday when security operatives killed two bandits who were setting a trap for motorists along Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
According to a statement by the Ogun state police spokesperson Abimbola Oyeyemi, the command acted on information from members of the public, that hoodlums (about six in number) wielding AK-47s were lurking in the bushes close to the road.
Without hesitation, operatives were deployed to tackle the situation.
The policemen combed the area until they got close to the bandits who panicked when they were discovered.
The security operatives engaged the bandits in a gun duel, killing two of them while the rest scampered into the forest for safety.
The police said it also recovered two AK 47 riffles at Bere forest in Onigaari along the Lagos-Ibadan expressway.
Oyeyemi said: “Upon the information, the commissioner of police, Edward Ajogun quickly deployed the command’s tactical teams, coordinated by the DPO Owode Egba division, CSP Olusola Oniyiku to the forest in search of the bandits,” the statement said.
“While the combing was going on, the hoodlums, on sighting the policemen, opened fire and a gun battle ensued.”
At the end of the encounter, he said that 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. ”
He said that sachets of tramadol and assorted charms were also recovered from the bandits.
“The commissioner of police, CP Edward Ajogun, has ordered for massive manhunt for the remaining members of the gang,” the statement added.
“He also appealed to members of the public, especially hospitals not to hesitate to inform the police if anyone with gunshot injuries is seen in their area.”
