Abeokuta phone market invasion: Go after fleeing robbers — Abiodun to Police

…As one dies from gunshot, one robber arrested

Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta

Officers of the Ogun State Police Command have been told to go after fleeing robbers who invaded the popular phone market at Okelewo area of Abeokuta, the State capital on Wednesday.

The State Police Command had, Wednesday, successfully repelled about eight members armed robbery gang who invaded the popular phone market at Okelewo area of Abeokuta, the State capital.

The armed robbery gang, according to a statement from the Spokesman of the State Police Command, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi,  stormed the phone market popularly called “Tarmac” at about 5:30 p.m, started shooting sporadically and carting away expensive phones during the melee.

The Police disclosed that members of the public had made distress call to the Police at Ibara Divisional Headquarters, consequence upon which the DPO Ibara Division, CSP Abayomi Adeniji quickly mobilised his anti robbery and surveillance teams in collaboration with men of Amotekun corps and moved to the scene.

On sighting the policemen, the robbers were said to have engaged them in gun battle, but due to the superior fire power of the policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.

The Police said the alleged suspects were hotly chased and with the assistance of the market men, one of the robbers later identified as Adeniji Sakiru, 32 years old, was apprehended.

The Police, however, disclosed that one Dayo Bankole, a trader in the market, who was shot by the robbers gave up the ghost while receiving treatment at General Hospital, Ijaye Abeokuta.

Recovered from the arrested robber are one double barrel locally made gun and assorted criminal charms.

Meanwhile, the outgoing Commissioner of Police now AIG, Frank Mba, has directed that the suspect be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigation.

He equally ordered a massive manhunt for the remaining members of the gang with the view to bring them to justice while also appealing to members of the public, especially hospitals, to inform the Police if anybody with gunshot injury is seen in their area.

Meanwhile, the Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has directed the Police Command in the State, to go after the fleeing members of the armed  robbery gang.

Governor Abiodun in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Kunle Somorin, on Thursday, described the incident as unfortunate and vowed that his administration would give the Police all necessary support to arrest other members of the robbery gang.

He commended the swift response and gallantry display by the anti-robbery and surveillance teams of the Police and the Amotekun Corps, which led to the arrests of one of the robbers.

The Governor equally commended the traders at the market popularly known as ‘Tarmac’ for their brave actions in foiling the attacks.

Abiodun, however, expressed his sympathy to the family of the trader who was shot and killed by the robbers as well as traders who lost valuables during the incident.

He assured that all efforts would be geared towards ensuring the arrest of the escaped robbers, reiterating his administration’s commitment to  security of lives and property of the residents of the State.

“The unfortunate incident that occurred  on the 12th of April,  orchestrated by armed robbers that led to the gruesome murder of one of the traders at a popular phone market known as “Tarmac” at Oke-Ilewo area of Abeokuta was reported to me and my sympathy goes to all the traders who lost valuables as well as the family of the deceased trader. May God give the affected traders the grace to bear the losses of life and properties.

“I commend the efforts of the anti-robbery and surveillance teams; the Amotekun corps and the traders who took immediate action — efforts of which yielded in the capturing of one of the hoodlums — and also bring a semblance of peace to the vicinity.

“I am using this medium to reiterate that no level of criminality will be condoned in the state as my administration has put in place people, processes and technology to deter all criminal activities and to apprehend faulting persons or groups.

“I empathise with all affected traders and their families once again and urge the good people to resume their normal activities,” Governor Abiodun was quoted to have said in the statement.