Young Armed Men Rob Police Inspector in Lagos, 2 Shot Dead

There was confusion on Monday on Okunola Road in Idimu area of Lagos after some armed robbers unleashed mayhem. It was learnt that a police inspector, who had just left a commercial bank in the area around 11.45am, was attacked and robbed by a three-man gang, which came on a motorcycle.

They reportedly shot the inspector in the jaw before dispossessing him of his money.

Punch reports that while the robbers were escaping from the scene, a police patrol team, attached to the Anti-Pipeline Vandalism Intelligence Unit, engaged the robbers in a shootout.

Two of the robbers were reportedly killed during the exchange, while a surviving member of the gang, identified as Gafaru Ismail, was arrested. Two pistols were recovered from the gang.

The injured police inspector, who was not in uniform at the time of the attack, was reportedly rushed to a general hospital in the area, while the slain robbers and the suspect were taken to SARS, Ikeja.

A resident, who gave his name as Ramoni, said the robbers targeted people leaving banking premises, adding that the inspector was the second victim.

He said, “The incident happened around 11.45am. All of us suddenly heard gunshots down the road and we knew it was a robbery operation. Everyone was confused. The robbers, who came on a motorcycle, had first robbed a bank customer, before waylaying the inspector.

“While they were robbing him, they sensed that he had a weapon and quickly shot at his jaw. They collected his money and were leaving when they were cornered by a police patrol team.

“The patrol team engaged the robbers and killed two of them. They dragged their corpses into the van. The third suspect also sustained injuries, but he was arrested. It was after the arrest that most of us went out to see what was happening. The shootings were intense.”

The Lagos State Police Public Relations officer, SP Dolapo Badmos, confirmed the incident.