Ogun police in gun duel with bandits, kill two, lose officer

By Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Operatives of Ogun state police command on Tuesday, in a fierce gun battle, killed two bandits but lost an Inspector, one Omolayo Olajide at Saala Orile forest, via Ayetoro in Ayetoro local government area of the state.

According to statement from the Spokesman of the State Police Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi, a detachment of the police from Ayetoro Division had engaged the bandits in a shootout while heeding to a distress saying that a group of bandits were attacking some Fulani herdsmen at Isaala Orile forest

Upon the distress call, the DPO Ayetoro, CSP Bernard Ediogboyan was said to have quickly led his men and operatives of Joint security Intervention squad (JSIS) to the scene.

The statement revealed further that on sighting the policemen, the bandits opened fire on them and the policemen replied fire for fire.

At the end of the encounter which reportedly lasted for about 20 minutes, two amongst the bandits were shot dead while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

Regrettably, an Inspector of police, by name Omolayo Olajide lost his life during the gun duel.

Recovered from the bandits were three locally made guns, sixteen live cartridges, charms, one cutlass, one small phone. and one unregistered Bajaj motorcycle.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, CP Lanre Bankole, who expressed sadness over the death of the police officer while fighting the bandits had directed that the fleeing members of the gang must be hunted and brought to justice.

The CP also condoled with the family of the late Inspector and assured them that his death would not be in vain.