THE governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, has ordered the state police command to hunt down the robbery suspects who attacked a well-known phone market in Abeokuta, the state’s capital, known as Computer Village.
Dayo Bankole, a trader, was shot and killed on Wednesday, and numerous people were also hurt.
Information gathered reveals that, motorcycle-riding armed robbers stormed the market at Ibara, the city’s commercial district, in broad daylight and began shooting randomly.
Meanwhile, it was discovered that some of the traders who had earlier fled to safety had later mustered the courage to pursue the assailants and had been successful in apprehending one of them.
Additionally, our correspondent learned that the deceased passed away while receiving treatment at the General Hospital, Ijaye, Abeokuta.
The state police public relations officer, Abimbola Oyeyemi, confirmed the incident and said that the police “successfully repelled the armed robbery gang.”
“The armed robbery suspects stormed the market at about 5.30pm and started shooting sporadically. They stole expensive phones,” Oyeyemi said in a statement on Thursday.
The PPRO disclosed that a distress call was made to the police at the Ibara Division and the Divisional Police Officer, CSP Abayomi Adeniji, mobilised his anti-robbery and surveillance teams in collaboration with men of the Amotekun Corps to the scene.
He added, “The armed robbery gang numbering about eight, stormed the market popularly known as ‘TARMARC’ at about 5.30pm, started shooting sporadically and carting away expensive phones.
“A distress call was quickly made 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 engaged them in a gun battle, but due to the superior firepower of the policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.
“They were chased and with the assistance of the market men, one of the robbers later identified as Adeniji Sakiru, 32, was apprehended.
“Unfortunately, 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.”
Oyeyemi added that Frank Mba, the former assistant inspector general and current commissioner of police, has ordered that the suspect be sent to the state criminal investigation department for a further investigation.
He noted that Mba also ordered a manhunt for the gang’s surviving members.
In the meantime, Abiodun, the state governor, has ordered the state police command to pursue the fleeing robbery suspects in the meantime.
Abiodun in a statement released yesterday by his chief press secretary, Kunle Somorin, described the incident as unfortunate and pledged that his administration would provide the police with all necessary assistance to apprehend the fleeing suspects.
He commended the quick action taken by the police and Amotekun Corps surveillance and anti-robbery teams, which resulted in the capture of one of the robbers.
“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,” the governor said.
