Three suspected armed robbers lost their lives during a gun duel with a combined security team comprising police operatives from the Osun State Police Command and members of Nigeria Forest Security Service otherwise known as hunters at a robbery scene in Osogbo on Tuesday.
Five members of the gang were also reportedly injured and taken to the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo for treatment.
A security source, who preferred anonymity, privy to the incident, had told PUNCH Metro that 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 in the early hours of the day and pillaged electrical installations on the premises.
The source further said 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.
He further said, “The men came in more than three vehicles and entered into the premises through the back. They were already inside the premises when security men at the entrance, who were majorly 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. From observation where I was at the time of the incident, 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.”
When contacted, the Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Yemisi Opalola, though confirmed the incident, could not immediately give a specific number of the robbers that were killed.
She said, “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.” (The PUNCH)
