One Dead, another Held as Police Fight Lagos Traffic Robbers

Matilda Omonaiye/

Policemen on surveillance at Okokomaiko area of Lagos have killed a suspected armed robber operating inside a traffic jam.

According to the Lagos police spokesman, DSP Bala Elkana, another suspect was arrested, after the gang engaged officers in a gun duel.

A statement from Elkana today says: “On 17/05/2019 at about 10.20pm a team of Policemen from Okokomaiko Police Station, on surveillance patrol intercepted a gang of traffic robbery suspects, at Cassidy Bus Stop, Okokomaiko. The hoodlums engaged the Police in a gun battle but eventually succumbed to the superior power of the Police. One of the hoodlums was fatally injured and one Adigun Ganiyu ‘M’ 26 years old, was arrested, while other gang members escaped. One Double barrel Gun with one live cartridge and two expanded cartridges were recovered. One motorcycle used by the hoodlums for the robbery operation was also recovered. The suspect confessed that their gang is responsible for a series of traffic robbery along Okokomaiko and he is helping investigators with useful information about his fleeing colleagues. The investigation is ongoing.

“In a related development on 18/5/2019 at about 2030hrs surveillance patrol team attached to Ilemba Hausa Police Station, intercepted a gang of traffic robbery suspects operating on a motorcycle along Church Bus Stop, Ilemba, and shooting sporadically. One Justice Igboanusi, m 29 years old of 11 Jinadu Street, Ajangbadi, was arrested and one short double barrel gun with one live cartridge was recovered from him while other gang members escaped.  The investigation is ongoing. Suspects will be charged to Court.”