Osun State Police Command has confirmed that some suspected armed robbers lost their lives in a shootout with a combined security team of police personnel from the Osun State Police Command and members of Nigeria Forest Security Service in Osogbo on Tuesday.
The spokesperson of the Command, Yemisi Opalola, who could not give the specific number of the robbers that were killed, revealed that the robbers were engaged by the hunters on ground.
“I am yet to get a full briefing on the incident. We were told the robbers came in large numbers and engaged the hunters. Police later mobilised to the scene and they were subdued. I don’t have the number of those that died yet,” she said.
DAILY POST, however, gathered from a police source who craved anonymity that three of the members of the armed robbery gang died during the gun duel.
He also revealed that five other members of the armed robbery gang sustained gunshot wounds and have been taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, UTH, Osogbo for medical treatment.
According to the source, “a gang of over 20 armed robbers laid siege on the defunct Osogbo Steel Rolling Mill, presently known as Integrated Steel PLC of Dangote Group, located along Ikirun Road in the early hours of the day and pillaged electrical installations on the premises.
“The robbers had entered the premises through the back, beating security men positioned at the main entrance and were already cutting cables and electrical installations when the hunters got wind of their presence in the compound.
“They came in more than three vehicles and entered the premises through the back. They were already inside the premises when security men at the entrance, who were mainly hunters, became aware of their presence.
“The hunters later engaged the robbers in a gun duel. While engaging the robbers, the hunters called for police assistance and men from the Osun police command were immediately deployed.
“During the exchange of gunshots, three robbers were shot dead, while five others were injured.
“The exchange between the robbers and the security men lasted over three hours.
“A police van later came in the morning and evacuated those injured to UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, for treatment.
“Corpses of those that died were deposited at the morgue of the State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo.”
