The Oyo State Police Command has foiled a planned deadly attack on Elebe Village in Aleniboro area via Irawo Mine, Atisbo local government area of Oyo State, neutralising two suspected bandits during an intelligence-led operation.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan on Monday.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out following credible intelligence provided by a good Samaritan, who alerted security operatives to the presence of about 10 armed men suspected to be bandits hiding in a farm settlement within Elebe Village.
The suspects were reportedly armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns and cut-to-size locally made pistols, and were allegedly planning to attack the community under the cover of darkness.
Upon receiving the information, the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Tede Division promptly briefed the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Femi Haruna, who directed the immediate deployment of additional operational assets to the area.
Police operatives, working in collaboration with members of the Agbekoya group and local hunters in Aleniboro, mobilised to the identified hideout. On sighting the advancing security personnel, the hoodlums reportedly opened fire, leading to a gun duel.
During the exchange, two of the suspects were neutralised, while others escaped with suspected gunshot wounds.
A reinforcement patrol team later conducted an extensive combing of the surrounding bush. Items recovered at the scene included one cut-to-size locally made pistol, one empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two expended 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition shells, quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp, two Tecno button phones and a bottle containing a substance suspected to be a mixed drink.
The police said the area has been secured, while intensive bush combing and surveillance operations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and eliminate any residual threat to Elebe Village and neighbouring communities.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his continued support and provision of operational logistics to enhance the Command’s response to security threats.
The Command also urged residents to remain vigilant and continue to provide timely information to security agencies, stressing that community cooperation remains vital in the fight against criminality.
