By DEBORAH AKPEDE and BOLAJI ISIAQ

The Police Command in Lagos State says its operatives have neutralised two suspected armed robbers and arrested another during a gun duel at Ijora-Badia.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Fatai Tijani, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists at the command headquarters, Ikeja.

Tijani said the incident occurred on Sunday at about 10:00 p.m., when operatives of the command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit, acting on actionable intelligence, traced a suspected armed robbery gang to its hideout along Gasikia Road, Ijora-Badia.

He said the suspects allegedly opened fire on the police operatives after sighting them, resulting in a gun duel during which two of the suspects were neutralised.

According to him, another suspect escaped from the scene, while a 26-year-old suspect was arrested.

The CP said the operation led to the recovery of two beretta pistols and four rounds of live 9mm ammunition.

Tijani said preliminary investigation indicated that the gang was preparing to embark on a robbery operation before the police intervention.

He added that the arrested suspect was assisting the police with useful information on the activities of the gang.

“The suspect is still with us and is still giving useful information as to what they have been doing.

“The suspect had allegedly confessed to participating in several robbery operations within the state,” he said.

The commissioner, however, said the command was still investigating the claims to establish the suspect’s level of involvement in previous robbery incidents.

Tijani said efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect and recover additional weapons allegedly used by the gang.

The police boss assured residents that the command would sustain intelligence-led operations aimed at dismantling criminal gangs and preventing them from carrying out attacks in the state.

The arrested suspect, who spoke with journalists during interrogation, claimed that he joined the gang earlier in the week and had participated in three operations.

He said the gang comprised four members and usually carried two firearms during operations, although he claimed not to have carried a weapon.

The suspect said members of the gang sometimes gave him between N50,000 and N250,000 after operations.

He expressed regret over his involvement and pledged to abandon crime.

“I want to change. I swear to Almighty God, I will change. This kind of life does not serve me,” he said. (NAN)

Update news