Oyo: Police foil community attack, gun down 2 suspected bandits

The Oyo State Police Command has successfully prevented a planned bandit attack on Irawo town, located in the Oke Ogun area of the state. The operation, carried out on Tuesday, resulted in two suspects being neutralised after they clashed with police officers and local hunters in what authorities described as a “fun duel.”

DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the state police spokesperson, confirmed the operation in a statement to TheLeader, praising it as “a remarkable display of operational prowess, proactive policing strategy, and intelligence-driven crime prevention.”

These, he said, made it possible for the police to successfully foil a planned attack on Elebe Village, Aleniboro, via Irawo Mine.

“The operation, executed with precision and swift tactical coordination, underscores the Command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence gathering, rapid response capability, and the protection of vulnerable communities from criminal elements.

He said the breakthrough followed credible information provided by a good Samaritan at the station, alerting security operatives to the presence of about 10 armed suspected “Fulani men” who had concealed themselves at a farm settlement within Elebe Village with plans to attack the community under the cover of darkness.

“The suspects were reportedly armed with two AK-47s, single-barrel guns, and cut-to-size locally made pistols, while openly discussing their intention to unleash violence on the village,” the PPRO stated.

The release added that on receipt of the report, “the Divisional Police Officer, Tede Division, in line with established operational and regimental chain of command, promptly informed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Police Command, CP Femi Haruna, who immediately directed the deployment of additional operational assets to ensure the success of the mission”.

The Command further revealed that policemen, in collaboration with members of the Agbekoya/local hunters at Aleniboro, swiftly mobilised to the identified hideout where the suspected bandits opened fire on the advancing security operatives, but were swiftly repelled, resulting in a gun duel that left two of the suspected bandits killed, while others fled with possible gunshot wounds.

Alayande also said that reinforcement had been sent to restore normalcy while investigations continue into the matter, as extensive combing of the surrounding bush continues.

“Recovered at the scene were one cut-to-size locally made pistol, one empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two expended 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition shells fired by the hoodlums, quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, and two Tecno button phones with one bottle containing a substance suspected to be a mixed drink.

The police said the area had since been secured, while intensive bush combing and surveillance operations were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and eliminate any residual threat to Elebe Village and adjoining communities.

The Command further solicited sustained cooperation and timely intelligence from members of the public, emphasising that community support remains a critical pillar in the ongoing fight against criminality.

It also encouraged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security formation.