Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Gabriel Osa
Security operatives in Oyo State have shot dead two suspected bandits following a gun battle that disrupted an alleged planned attack on Elebe village in the Aleniboro area of Oke-Ogun. The confrontation, which unfolded after intelligence reports alerted authorities to the presence of armed men in a nearby farm settlement, underscores ongoing efforts to prevent the spread of banditry into parts of southwestern Nigeria.
According to a statement issued in Ibadan on Monday by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Oyo State Command, Olayinka Ayanlade, the incident involved a 10-member gang believed to have been plotting a night assault on the rural community. Acting on information provided by a civilian informant, officers from the Tede Division mobilised swiftly in coordination with local hunters affiliated with the Agbekoya group in Aleniboro.
Ayanlade said the Divisional Police Officer of Tede promptly escalated the intelligence through the operational chain of command to the Commissioner of Police, CP Femi Haruna, who ordered the deployment of additional personnel and logistical support. The combined team of police operatives and local hunters proceeded to the identified hideout, where they encountered the armed suspects.
Upon sighting the advancing security forces, the suspects reportedly opened fire, triggering an exchange of gunshots. Police authorities said the superior firepower and coordinated response of the operatives overwhelmed the attackers. Two of the suspected bandits were killed during the confrontation, while others escaped into surrounding areas, some believed to have sustained gunshot injuries.
A reinforcement patrol team subsequently conducted a sweep of the vicinity to secure the area and prevent any regrouping by the fleeing suspects. Items recovered from the scene included a makeshift pistol, an empty cartridge, two live cartridges, two spent 7.62mm shells allegedly fired from an AK-47 rifle, quantities of a substance suspected to be Indian hemp, two mobile phones and a bottle containing what investigators described as a mixed drink.
Police officials stated that the recovered materials have been taken into custody for forensic examination and further investigation. The identities of the deceased suspects have not yet been disclosed, pending confirmation and notification of relevant authorities.
The operation highlights the growing collaboration between formal security agencies and local vigilante or hunter groups in rural areas. In Oke-Ogun and other agrarian communities, such partnerships have become an important layer of community-based security, particularly in regions where vast terrain can complicate rapid response.
While Oyo State has not experienced the scale of banditry reported in some northwestern states, sporadic security incidents have prompted authorities to strengthen intelligence gathering and patrol operations in border communities. Police officials have repeatedly stressed the importance of timely information from residents in preventing attacks before they occur.
The Oyo State Police Command confirmed that surveillance and combing operations remain ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle any remaining elements of the group. Security presence has reportedly been reinforced around Elebe village and neighbouring settlements to reassure residents and deter further threats.
Community members expressed relief that the alleged attack was thwarted before casualties were recorded within the village itself. However, some residents voiced concern over the presence of armed groups operating within farm settlements, calling for sustained patrols and increased security infrastructure.
Commissioner Femi Haruna reaffirmed the command’s commitment to proactive policing and intelligence-led operations aimed at protecting lives and property across the state. He urged members of the public to continue providing credible information to security agencies, emphasizing that community cooperation remains essential to preventing criminal activity.
As investigations continue, authorities are expected to assess whether the suspected gang had links to broader criminal networks operating across state lines. For now, the immediate threat to Elebe village appears to have been contained, though security forces remain on alert to ensure that any residual risk is swiftly neutralised.
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