The Police Command in Ogun on Thursday stated that one trader was slain by armed robbers who attacked a renowned phone market in Abeokuta, the state capital.
SP Abimbola Oyeyemi, the police spokesman in the state, however claimed in a statement made in Abeokuta on Thursday that one of the armed robbers was captured.
Oyeyemi revealed that the police successfully repulsed the armed robbers who attacked the Tarmac phone market located at Oke Ilewo area of Abeokuta.
He added seven of the armed robbers escaped and a manhunt to capture them had launched.
He claimed that the group, numbering approximately eight, invaded the market at about 5:30 p.m, shooting intermittently and dispossessing sellers of pricey phones.
Oyeyemi said the robbers were forced to run by the combined fire power of the police and Amotekun Corps, led by the Divisional Police Officer, Ibara Division, CSP Abayomi Adeniji.
”On sighting the policemen, the robbers engaged them in a gun battle, but due to the superior fire power of the policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.
”They were hotly 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,” he said.
The police spokesman stated that one double barrel locally made gun and charms were recovered from the suspect.
Meanwhile, the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Frank Mba, has directed that the suspect be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for discreet investigation.
He ordered a manhunt to arrest the remaining members of the gang and bring them to justice.
Mba appealed to members of the public and hospitals to inform the police of anybody with gunshot injury
