Following a tip-off by locals, a joint task force (JTF) comprising police, local vigilantes, neighborhood watch, and hunters engaged two suspected armed robbers near Ajaka, Igalamela-Odolu local government area of Kogi State in a shootout, resulting in the death of the robbers.
The security operatives intercepted the robbers at the early hours of Tuesday. The robbers opened fire upon being sighted, leading to a gun battle where two of the gang members were killed, while six others managed to escape with bullet wounds.
Weapons and cash were recovered from the scene of the gun battle, indicating the criminal intent of the robbers.
Senior Special Assistant on security to Governor Yahaya Bello for Igalamela/Odolu local government, Onoja Omachonu, recounted the incident, stating, “We mobilized to the area at about 3am and intercepted them on their way out of the local government. On sighting us, they started shooting but they succumbed to the superior firepower of the security operatives.”
He further mentioned that the bodies of the deceased robbers were handed over to the police in Ajaka.
Calling for continued cooperation with security forces, the Senior Special Assistant urged the public to collaborate with the authorities to eliminate crime and criminal activities in the local government.