The popular computer market, TARMAC in the city of Abeokuta the Ogun state capital yesterday was attacked by suspected armed robbers, masked, with deadly weapons carting away phones close to N15million.
The 8 man robbery gang that came on motorcycle had planted one of them earlier in the morning according to an eyewitness, to scout the business environment, for easy operation and possible security threats.
The eyewitness told our correspondent that the suspect pretended like a customer who wanted to buy a phone moving from one shop to the other, before others arrived shooting sporadically to the air and shop owners took to their heels.
Speaking with The chairman, Mobile Phones Dealers and Technicians Association (MOPDATEC), Ogun state, Mr. Ifebola Togunwa aka Lobot, said men of the underworld dispatched themselves into four groups and raided about six shops within one hour at gunpoint.
Lobot explained that while the operation lasted, members of the association who are business owners all scampered for safety as the suspects carted away expensive phones close to N15million.
He noted that the police were alerted immediately and moved to the scene to repel the attack.
Lobot explained that, while the attackers were escaping through the Ibara Omida Road, some members of the association with combined efforts of the security men ran after the assailants.
He said that during the process, one of the phone sellers, Dayo Bankole sustained gunshot injury and was taken to the General Hospital, Ijaiye in Abeokuta where he was confirmed dead.
Lobot, however, said one of the armed robbers was apprehended in the process by the angry mob and has been taken to Ibara Divisional Police station.
The Police Public Relations in the state, SP Abimbola Oyeyemi reacting on the incident, said operatives of Nigeria Police successfully repelled the armed robbery gang who invaded the popular phone market.
Oyeyemi told our correspondent that, immediately distress call was made to the Police at Ibara Divisional headquarters, the DPO, CSP Abayomi Adeniji quickly mobilized his anti robbery and surveillance teams in collaboration with men of Amotekun corps and moved to the scene.
He said, on sighting the policemen, the robbers engaged them in a gun battle, but due to the superior fire power of the policemen, the hoodlums took to their heels.
Oyeyemi said the robbers were hotly chased and with the assistance of the market men, which led to the arrest of one of the robbers later identified as Adeniji Sakiru 32 years old.
He said luck ran out of one of the phone sellers, Dayo Bankole popularly known as “Ebe” who joined in the hot chase of the robbers, as he was shot by the robbers and gave up the ghost before getting to General Hospital Ijaye, Abeokuta.
Recovered from the arrested robber are one double barrel locally made gun, and assorted Criminal charms.
Meanwhile the outgoing Commissioner of Police AIG, Frank Mba, has directed that the suspect be transferred to State Criminal Investigation Departments for discreet investigation.
Credit: https://infolitenews.com.ng/
