FIC Report (Oyo State) – The Oyo State Command of the Nigeria Police has foiled a plan by some bandits to attack Elebe Village in the Aleniboro area of Oyo State. Elebe village is located near the Irawo Mine centre.
In a statement, recently released by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, the residents of Elebe village and people in the area could now breathe a sigh of relief as the operatives of the Oyo State Police Command thwarted at the weekend, what authorities described as a planned deadly attack on the community.
During the police operation in response to the presence of the bandits and their planned attack, two of the suspected bandits were reportedly neutralised in the intelligence-led operation, while several others reportedly escaped with gunshot injuries.
According to the police, the operation followed credible intelligence from a concerned citizen who alerted security operatives to the presence of about 10 armed men hiding in a farm settlement within Elebe Village. The suspects were said to be armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns and locally fabricated cut-to-size pistols, and were allegedly planning to launch an attack on the community under the cover of darkness.
Acting swiftly on the information, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Tede Division briefed the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, who immediately ordered the deployment of additional tactical teams to the area.
Police operatives, working alongside members of the Agbekoya group and local hunters in Aleniboro, advanced towards the identified hideout. On sighting the approaching security personnel, the suspects reportedly opened fire, triggering a gun battle.
In the ensuing exchange, two of the suspects were neutralised. Others fled into the surrounding bush, believed to have sustained gunshot wounds.
A reinforcement patrol team later combed the area extensively. Items recovered at the scene included a locally made cut-to-size pistol, one empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two expended 7.62mm AK-47 shells, quantities of substances suspected to be Indian hemp, two Tecno button phones and a bottle containing a substance believed to be a mixed drink.
Police authorities confirmed that the area has since been secured, with ongoing bush combing and surveillance operations aimed at apprehending the fleeing suspects and eliminating any lingering threat to Elebe Village and neighbouring communities.
The Oyo State Commissioner of Police commended the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his continued support and provision of operational logistics to strengthen the Command’s response to security challenges.
The Command urged residents to remain vigilant and to continue sharing timely information with security agencies, noting that community cooperation remains critical in the fight against criminality.
Signed
Blessing Oluwadamilola Ajayi
(Corp member),
edited by
Moses Oyelade,
AD(I&PR), FIC, Ibadan.
