Police Gun Down Armed Robber, Recover ₦3.6m Stolen Valuables in Ekiti Operation
Police operatives in Ekiti State have foiled an armed robbery operation in Ado-Ekiti after engaging a gang of suspected robbers in a gun battle, leaving one suspect with gunshot injuries while others escaped.
The operation followed a distress call received at about 3:42 a.m. on July 24, reporting that armed robbers were attacking residents at Elemi Housing Estate and Joy Highland Avenue along the Ado–Afao Road.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Oke-Ila Division led a team of officers to the scene, where the suspects reportedly opened fire on sighting the police.
The officers returned fire, leading to a gun duel during which one of the suspects sustained gunshot wounds and was apprehended. Other members of the gang fled the scene, abandoning several stolen items and a locally made barrel gun.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects had overpowered and tied up a 31-year-old private security guard, identified as Samuel, attached to the residence of Hon. Femi Fatunla. The gang reportedly seized the guard’s locally made barrel gun, which was later used during the robbery.
Investigators also identified Ojo David, a former security guard at the residence, as the alleged mastermind of the operation, while the injured suspect, identified simply as Tosin, was said to be the gang leader.
The injured suspect was taken to the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH), Ado-Ekiti, where he is receiving treatment under police guard.
According to the police, the gang stole several valuables from Hon. Fatunla’s residence, including an iPhone 12 Pro Max, an iPhone 12, Infinix and Redmi mobile phones, two power banks, a laptop, an iPad, wristwatches and assorted jewellery valued at about ₦3.38 million.
The suspects also robbed another victim, 26-year-old Ife Udoh, of a mobile phone valued at ₦230,000, bringing the total value of the stolen property to more than ₦3.6 million.
Following the operation, police recovered the locally made barrel gun bearing serial number HQ 07, belonging to the Civilian Agbekoya Security outfit, as well as a mobile phone belonging to Deborah Langtan, 20, and the Redmi phone belonging to the security guard.
The Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) has commenced a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing members of the robbery gang.
By TimesNG