Lauretta Fagbohun, Ogun

Officers of the Ogun State Police Command on Tuesday killed two bandits in a fierce gun battle at Saala Orile forest, where the bandits were attacking some Fulani herders.

This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, DSP Abimbola Oyeyemi who confirmed that an Inspector of police, Omolayo Olajide, lost his life during the gun duel.

DSP Oyeyemi told newsmen that, the DPO of Ayetoro police division, CSP Bernard Ediogboyan, led his men and operatives of the Joint Security Intervention Squad (JSIS) to the scene, having received a distress call that the bandits were attacking the Fulani herders, at Isaala Orile forest.

He explained that "on sighting the police, the bandits opened fire on them and the policemen replied fire for fire".

"At the end of the encounter which lasted for about twenty minutes, two among the bandits were shot dead while others escaped with varying degrees of gunshot injuries".

The State Police spokesman said, items recovered include three locally made guns,  sixteen live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, one cutlass, one small phone, and one unregistered Bajaj motorcycle.

Meanwhile, the State Commissioner of Police, Lanre Bankole, who expressed sadness over the death of the police officer while fighting the bandits had directed that the escaped members of the gang be hunted and brought to justice. 

The CP also condoled with the family of the late inspector and assured them that his death will not be in vain.