Police Gun Down Two Suspected Bandits, Foil Planned Attack On Oyo Community

 

Security operatives in Oyo State have foiled a planned bandit attack on Elebe Village, Aleniboro axis, via Irawo Mine in Atisbo Local Government Area, killing two suspected attackers during a gun battle and recovering arms and other items.

The operation was confirmed in a statement on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the state command, Olayinka Ayanlade, who said the breakthrough followed credible intelligence from a resident who alerted authorities to the presence of about 10 armed men hiding in a farm settlement and plotting a night raid on the community.

According to him, the suspects were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns and locally fabricated pistols, and were overheard discussing plans to launch an attack.

He said the Divisional Police Officer in Tede promptly escalated the intelligence through the command structure to the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, who ordered immediate deployment of tactical teams to the area.

Police operatives, working jointly with local hunters and Agbekoya vigilante members, moved to the hideout where the suspects allegedly opened fire on sighting the team, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.

“During the encounter, two of the armed bandits were neutralised, while others escaped into the bush with suspected gunshot wounds,” the statement said.

Items recovered from the scene include a cut-to-size locally made pistol, empty and live cartridges, expended 7.62mm ammunition shells, substances suspected to be Indian hemp, two mobile phones and a bottle containing a suspected mixed drink.

The command said the area has been secured, while bush combing and surveillance operations are ongoing to arrest the fleeing suspects and prevent further threats to nearby communities.

The police also referenced a recent kidnapping incident involving a 12-year-old student in Ibadan, earlier reported by Patriotic Insights News, where masked gunmen reportedly abducted the victim while firing shots to scare residents.

The commissioner commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for continued logistical and strategic support to state commands nationwide.

Residents were urged to remain vigilant and continue providing timely information to security agencies to aid crime prevention efforts.