The Oyo State Police command on Monday foiled a deadly bandit attack at Elebe Village, Aleniboro, via Irawo Mine in Atisbo Local Government Area of the state and neutralised two members of the group.

A statement released by the state Police Public Relations Officer, Olayinka Ayanlade, in Ibadan, the state capital, said the breakthrough followed credible information provided by a good Samaritan at the station, alerting security operatives to the presence of about 10 armed Fulani men who had concealed themselves at a farm settlement within Elebe Village with plans to attack the community under the cover of darkness.

PUNCH Online reports that a 12-year-old student of a private secondary school was kidnapped last Thursday in Ibadan, the state capital.

Eyewitnesses told our correspondent that the kidnappers, who were masked, drove a car without registration number plates, armed with a gun, shooting sporadically to scare road users and passersby.

One of the eyewitnesses, who preferred not to be named, said,

“The incident happened around 7:20 am. The kidnappers were masked and drove a car with no number plates.

“They pursued the girl’s mother. They abducted her and drove her off, though the girl resisted. They escaped through the Challenge area of Ibadan.”

However, a statement by the PPRO, Ayanlade, on Monday, said,

“In a remarkable display of operational prowess, proactive policing strategy, and intelligence-driven crime prevention, the command has successfully foiled a planned attack on Elebe Village, Aleniboro, via Irawo Mine.

“The operation, executed with precision and swift tactical coordination, underscores the command’s unwavering commitment to intelligence gathering, rapid response capability, and the protection of vulnerable communities from criminal elements.

“The breakthrough followed credible information provided by a good Samaritan at the station, alerting security operatives to the presence of about 10 armed Fulani men who had concealed themselves at a farm settlement within Elebe Village with plans to attack the community under the cover of darkness.

“The suspects were reportedly armed with two AK-47 rifles, single-barrel guns, and cut-to-size locally made pistols, while openly discussing their intention to unleash violence on the village.

“Immediately the report was received, the Divisional Police Officer, Tede Division, in line with established operational and regimental chain of command, promptly informed the state Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, who immediately directed the deployment of additional operational assets to ensure the success of the mission.

“Policemen, in collaboration with members of the Agbekoya/local hunters at Aleniboro, swiftly mobilised to the identified hideout. On sighting the advancing security operatives, the hoodlums opened fire, resulting in a gun duel. In the course of the exchange, two of the bandits were neutralised, while others escaped with suspected bullet wounds,” the PPRO explained.

He said a reinforcement patrol team subsequently conducted an extensive combing of the surrounding bush and recovered,

“One cut-to-size locally made pistol; one empty cartridge; two live cartridges; two expended 7.62mm AK-47 ammunition shells fired by the hoodlums; quantities of weeds suspected to be Indian hemp; two Tecno button phones; one bottle containing a substance suspected to be a mixed drink.”

The recovered items

Ayanlade emphasised that the area has since 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 adjoining communities.

“The Commissioner of Police appreciates the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his continuous support, strategic leadership, and provision of operational logistics that have strengthened the command’s capacity to respond decisively to security threats,” the statement partly read.

The command, therefore, solicited sustained cooperation and timely intelligence from members of the public, emphasising that community support remains a critical pillar in the ongoing fight against criminality.

The PPRO further urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious activities to the nearest security formation. (PUNCH)

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