Police inspector killed in gun duel with bandits in Ogun forest

The police command in Ogun says its operatives killed two bandits in a gun duel at Saala Orile forest in the state.

The police said the bandits on Tuesday attacked some Fulani herders in the forest.

Abimbola Oyeyemi, Ogun police spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday, said police received a distress call that the bandits were attacking herders in the forest.

Oyeyemi disclosed that the bandits opened fire on the police officers deployed in the scene, which led to a gun duel.

The police spokesperson said Omolayo Olajide, an inspector, was killed during the gun duel while two bandits also died in the encounter.

“Operatives of Ogun state police command on Tuesday 24th of January 2022 gunned down two bandits in a fierce gun battle at Saala Orile forest, where the bandits were attacking some Fulani herders,” the statement reads.

“The bandits were gunned down following a distress call received by policemen attached to Ayetoro division, that a group of bandits were attacking some Fulani herdsmen at Saala Orile forest.

“On sighting the policemen, the bandits opened fire on them and the policemen replied fire for fire. .

“Regrettably, an inspector of police, by name Omolayo Olajide lost his life during the gun duel.

“Recovered from the bandits are; three locally made guns, sixteen live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, one cutlass, one small phone. and one unregistered Bajaj motorcycle.

“Meanwhile, the commissioner of police, CP Lanre Bankole, who expressed sadness over the death of the police officer during the gun duel with bandits, had directed that the escaped members of the gang must be hunted for and brought to justice.”