Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command have shot and killed a suspected armed robber identified as Blessing, who allegedly operated from a refuse dump in the Abule Egba area.
The incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday when detectives stormed the Katangua refuse dump at about 1:30 a.m., acting on intelligence.
According to a police source, the suspect opened fire on the approaching operatives, prompting a gun duel in which he sustained bullet wounds. He was rushed to Oke Odo General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a doctor.
State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the incident, stating that the operation followed the confession of a 43-year-old robbery suspect, Yakubu Adeyemi, who had earlier been arrested.
“Operatives of the Lagos State Police Command stormed the Katangua refuse dump in Abule Egba to arrest other gang members and possibly recover their operational weapons. On sighting the police, the suspected armed robber by name Blessing opened fire on the operatives, and the operatives responded gallantly. During the exchange of gunfire, Blessing sustained bullet wounds and was rushed to hospital, where the doctor certified him dead,” Hundeyin said.
He disclosed that an AK-47 rifle with five rounds of ammunition, a locally-made single-barrelled pistol, and four live cartridges were recovered from the scene.
Hundeyin added that the corpse has been deposited at the Mainland Hospital mortuary for autopsy, while efforts are ongoing to track down other fleeing gang members.